News
Bottineau Farmers Elevator constructs a new building
Heather Milbrath
07/16/2013
Last summer the Bottineau Farmers Elevator (BFE) built a new office building at the north end of town, and completely revamped its grain loading system. This summer, BFE is expanding again, this time with the addition of a new dry fertilizer plant.
The new fertilizer plant is currently undergoing construction and will be located to the west of the BFE’s new office building, along the railroad tracks. This new plant will be able to hold 12,000 tons, which is a huge expansion considering the old plant only holds 1,500 tons.
Wayne Johnson, manager of BFE, says that a new fertilizer plant has been in the works since BFE moved to its new location. By building a new plant, BFE hopes to centralize everything, as well as adapt to changing farming practices.
“The decision to construct a new plant has been in the making for some time, as farming practices have changed and more dry fertilizer is needed.” Johnson said.
This new dry fertilizer plant will benefit farmers in many ways. The new plant will have a 250 ton blending tower, and will house all the different fertilizers and micronutrients needed. The new plant will also have the capability to be filled by either train or truck, which will help to increase both speed and product supply.
“A plant this size has to be on rail siding to maximize the unit train price discounts.” Johnson said. “Shipments will come in via unit trains of 65 to 85 cars at a time.”
Johnson said that if the weather holds and construction is not delayed, the new plant should be completed and ready to fill in late October.
Eventually the old fertilizer plant will come down to make room for more grain storage and an updated drying system.