Cargill has invested $4m to expand its ability to serve farmer customers with crop inputs, such as seed and fertilizer.
The project is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 crop year.
"In the past, we shared storage space in multiple buildings for crop protection products, seed, and liquid and dry fertilizer," said Kevin Spors, agronomy sales leader for the Northwest region of Cargill AgHorizons U.S. "When this project is completed, we will have a one-stop, full-service agronomy center that will add convenience and efficiencies for our farmer customers."
The 20,000-square-foot facility, which will be staffed with Cargill agronomists, will be located on the same property as the company's grain elevator in Alberta along the BNSF rail line.
In 2011, Cargill invested $16 million to substantially increase the storage capacity in Alberta with the addition of six steel bins. Other improvements were designed to speed up unloading times for farmers when they bring their crops in.
"With the addition of the agronomy center, we will be increasing the volume of crop inputs and the variety of products that we can offer," Spors said. The Alberta center will also help support Cargill's agronomy services in Benson, Gluek and Pipestone. "This will give an additional level of convenience and peace of mind to customers when they need products right away."
The agronomy center will have an automated weighing system, two load out bays and room to unload 10 railcars of product.
"I think the project can be summed up by convenience, more product capabilities and more efficiency for our farmer customers," Spors said. "We will have all of this plus our professional agronomy staff to help farmers manage their business.
