Conserv FS in Waterman, Ill., announced on Sept. 30 that it has completed a major expansion at its Waterman facility. The expansion includes a new 7,500-ton dry fertilizer building equipped with a 24-ton blender and a NTEP certified Auto-Batch blending system, which has the capacity to load eight semi-trucks per hour.
The project also added 1.3 million gallons of liquid fertilizer storage integrated with a crop protection mixing facility and warehouse. The new liquid facility is equipped with three load bays providing both top and bottom load options with “hot-load” capabilities, the company said.
In addition, the expansion added a 24/7 unattended bay for after-hours availability of nitrogen solution loads with nitrogen stabilizers. Conserv FS said each of the facilities bays can fill six semi-loads per hour, for a total of 18 semi-loads per hour. The company said 72,000 gallons of bulk crop protection product storage is also contained in this facility, with ample mini-bulk and package good storage.
Conserv FS said both the dry fertilizer and the liquid facility will contain automated systems integrated with ordering, operations, and accounting software, providing a greatly streamlined process and improved flow of information to the customer. An open house is scheduled for Oct. 8 from 2-4 p.m. to showcase the expansion and how it will serve farmers and the community.
“At Conserv FS we are committed to serving the farmers of today while planning for the future and the needs of the next generation of farmers. This large project at our Waterman facility demonstrates our commitment to the future of agriculture in our territory,” said Dave Swigart, General Manager of Conserv FS. “We’ve been serving agriculture for nearly 100 years, and this project is an example of our commitment to serve the farmer of the future.”
Incorporated in 1928, Conserv FS is an agricultural cooperative offering agronomy, energy, and turf services and products. The company operates 13 service center locations throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.