As West Central’s SoyPlus manufacturing plant expansion progresses on schedule, the Ralston skyline continues to change. The meal bin and processing towers have been erected and both are visible from Highway 30. Ames-based contractor Todd & Sargent and their crews have worked throughout the winter to enclose the process building, which will house the presser and dryer rooms. The $27 million dollar project broke ground in June of 2015, and is scheduled for completion this fall. The addition of a line of mechanical presses, soybean, soybean oil and finished product storage and load-out access is expected to increase current production by 50 percent. This will allow West Central to process more than 20 million bushels of soybeans annually. Mark Cullen, executive vice president of animal nutrition said West Central offers farmer-owners one of the strongest bids in a 40-mile radius because of their demand for soybeans 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This expansion adds demand for an additional six million more bushels annually. The new 70-foot rotary dryer, which is capable of operating independently of the existing structure arrived this week, and will allow the company more flexibility and the ability to keep one plant on line should the other undergo any necessary maintenance. We will be bringing you more from West Central Cooperative on this project as well as an update on the progress of their merger with Ames-based Farmers Cooperative Company, which will form the new Landus Cooperative.
