Iowa-based Cooperative Farmers Elevator (CFE) expects a new 12,500 st Stueve-built dry fertilizer plant at its Hawarden, Iowa, location to be complete by Aug. 1, according to a recent report on nwestiowa.com, which said this is the third CFE location to receive a modernized dry fertilizer plant since 2012.
The new plant will be a major upgrade from the existing buildings that handle 4,500 st, and it will mean a significant upgrade in blending technology and automation. CFE said the older buildings have reached the end of their useful life and will be torn down later.
CFE said the current dry business being served by Hawarden represents roughly 27% of dry fertilizer business within the cooperative. The new plant is expected to grow CFE’s business in the southwestern region of its territory. It will include five macro and four micro bins.
CFE is also adding a 750,000-bushel GSI bin for soybeans at Hawarden. It is being built with the ability to add another receiving pit and leg in the future. The new bin is expected to be complete by the fall of 2023.
CFE is adding two 1.3 million-bushel GSI bins used for corn at its Ocheyedan, Iowa, facility. Once completed, it will take its 600,000 bushel west elevator out of commission.
The cooperative is also upgrading grain facilities at its Hartley, Iowa, location.
CFE, which has administrative offices in Ocheyedan and Rock Valley, Iowa, is a member-owned cooperative, serving 4,975 members at 27 locations throughout northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, and southeast South Dakota. The cooperative provides products, services, and expertise in the areas of agronomy, grain, feed, and lumber.