Conserv FS, an agricultural cooperative based in Woodstock, Ill., broke ground on March 21 on a large expansion project for its Waterman, Ill, facility. It includes both dry and liquid fertilizer storage, crop protection storage, and improved loading. The construction is being conducted by Greystone Construction, Shakopee, Minn., and is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
A new 7,500 st dry fertilizer building will be equipped with a 24 st blender and a NTEP certified Auto-Batch blending system. It will have the capacity to load eight semi-trucks per hour.
The project also includes 1.3 million gallons of liquid fertilizer storage, integrated with a crop protection mixing facility and warehouse. It will be equipped with three load bays providing both top and bottom load options with “hot-load” capabilities.
Also included will be a 24/7 unattended bay for after-hours availability of nitrogen solution loads with nitrogen stabilizers. Each of these bays can fill six semi-loads per hour (18 semi-loads total/hour for the facility).
The facility also features 72,000 gallons of bulk crop protection product storage and ample mini-bulk and package good storage to provide flexibility and capacity. Both the dry fertilizer and the liquid facility will contain automated systems integrated with ordering, operations, and accounting software, providing a streamlined processes and improved flow of information to the customer.
“The loading speed of this updated facility will be up to five times faster than the existing facility,” said Adam Day, Conserv FS Agronomy Marketing and Sales Manager. “Allowing us to service our customers at an increased pace while lowering our daily operating expenses through improved efficiencies. Storage capacities will allow for us to effectively handle customers’ in-season needs and keep them moving efficiently.”
All inbound and outbound loading will be done indoors for ease of operation and environmental awareness.
“These state-of-the-art facilities are built with safety and the environment being foremost in our thoughts, while at the same time providing an outstanding customer experience to our patrons, gaining them valuable time during peak-season operations,” said Jeff Kimmel, Conserv FS Facility Projects Manager.
“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,” said Dave Swigart, Conserv FS General Manager. “This large project at our Waterman facility demonstrates our commitment to the future of agriculture in our territory. 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.”
Conserv FS was incorporated in 1928 and provides agronomy, energy, turf services, and other products. Conserv FS has eight agronomy locations, and the cooperative does business in 11 counties (eight in northeastern Illinois and three in southeastern Wisconsin).