THE NEW 700,000-BUSHEL grain bin in Boxholm begins its rise into the air as part of a $2.5 million grain storage and handling system by West Central Cooperative.

BOXHOLM (West Central Co-op) – As farmers prepare for spring planting, West Central Cooperative announced Feb. 23 a new 700,000-bushel upright, steel bin will be complete before corn begins to tassel.

The farmer-owned cooperative invested nearly $2.5 million dollars in the Boone County project consisting of demolition of an old feed mill, major soil corrections, installation of a 150-foot-tall tank, as well as conveyor equipment rated at 20,000 bushels per hour.

The project is slated to be complete early summer 2016.

“The project adds storage capacity and will allow us to take in more grain at the peak of harvest,” said West Central regional manager, Janette Smith, of the location which draws grain from Webster, Greene and Boone counties. “In turn, we hope to reduce traffic congestion and get growers back to the field more quickly.”

Pat Lybyer, grain marketing specialist for West Central, said, “With today’s market prices, local farmers are retaining record bushels on-farm and that trend may continue through harvest 2016.

THE FORMER FEED MILL in boxholm has been razed by West Central Cooperative, to make way for a new grain storage and handling system. Demolition and construction is estimated to cost $2.5 million. The project is scheduled to be completed this summer.

“We know it’s tough to store two crops at the same time, so this new storage capacity at our Boxholm location will alleviate unloading pressure for spring and summer marketing and really be important when new crop comes out this fall.”

Lybyer said a variety of pricing and contract options are available for area growers looking to lock-in profits and diversify risks.

The project was led by West Central’s operation staff and millwright crew and included PMI Iowa, LLC; Terracon, Hamilton Redi-Mix; FMC Masonry; TempuTech; and Enterprise Electric.