Landus Cooperative on June 13 celebrated the grand opening of its $15 million greenfield fertilizer manufacturing and repackaging facility in Boone County, Iowa, the Iowa Capital Dispatch reported. The co-op broke ground on the 75,000-sqare foot facility in June last year (GM July 7, 2023).
More than 100 employees, farmers, and local community leaders were on hand for the grand opening. The facility was constructed on 35.8 acres adjacent to the current Landus 33-acre grain facility in Boone County, and the project was assisted by a $5 million grant from the USDA Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP).
When the facility was announced last year, Landus said it would produce 100,000 gallons of foliar slow-release nitrogen (SRN) in its first operational year, expanding to 250,000 gallons in subsequent years. The facility will also be used for chemical and seed storage.
Matt Carstens, Landus President and CEO, told the Dispatch this week that the facility will also create adjuvants and soil products, while another section of the property will be used to produce green ammonia in partnership with TalusAg. Other portions of the property will be used to store corn, grain, and soybeans, Carstens said.
Landus said the new facility will decrease distribution expenses and environmental impact by allowing Landus to provide direct ship distribution options for farmers and suppliers across the Midwest, aided by the company’s unique position as the only Iowa agribusiness with access to all seven railroads.