Co-op moves ahead with grain facility expansion

Dec 18, 2019

Farmers should be able to use the facility for the 2020 harvest season

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A farmer co-op in Iowa has approved a plan for a major grain facility expansion.

During its December board meeting, MaxYield Cooperative agreed to proceed with a US$4.5-million project in Klemme, Iowa.

Once completed, the facility will include a 105-foot diameter grain storage bin with a capacity of about 750,000 bushels. The facility will also have a dryer capable of handling 4,000 bushels per hour, storage for wet corn, and overhead truck load-out capabilities.

Bid-letting for the project will be finalized the coming weeks and the co-op expects the project to be complete in time for the 2020 harvest.

The decision for the expansion comes after the facility suffered storm damage earlier in the year.

Relying on infrastructure repairs wasn’t an option, said Keith Heim, CEO of MaxYield.

“Our Klemme facility incurred storm damage in September that greatly affected our ability to serve our members and clients in that area,” he said in a Dec. 16 statement. “We made what modifications we could so we could get through harvest, but we know that it is not feasible to operate this location beyond 2019 without significant upgrades to the facility.”

The Klemme facility is one of multiple projects the co-op has planned.

In January, the co-op purchased property near Britt, Iowa that includes three warehouse buildings and 17,000 square feet of space. The facility has seed treating capabilities and bulk seed storage tanks.

Farms.com has reached out to members of the co-op’s board of directors for comment.

MaxYield photo

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