Fertilizer plant being built

Fertilizer plant being built

At least one local company is not being stifled by a slowed-down economy.
The Dell Rapids Coop Grain is constructing a new dry and liquid fertilizer plant to store bulk fertilizer.
“This allows us faster service to farmers,” said Mark Lee, general manager of Dell Rapids Coop Grain. “We can get to the farmer quicker and we don’t have to wait to fill trucks.”
Todd Brown, who farms west of Dell Rapids, said farmers have a 10-day window to apply the fertilizer. “The fertilizer plant is going to be more helpful to the farmer,” he said. “There is a short time span for spring planting and the fertilizer needs to be applied right before planting. Any speed and capacity with fertilizer application is going to be very helpful to us.”
Mike Wolles, who also farms west of Dell Rapids and is a member of the coop board, said this conveys the message the coop is firmly committed to the fertilizer business for the future. “Crop fertility is going to be more important as farmers continue to find ways to increase yields on their land,” he said. “This commitment is just one more way to help the farmers meet their goals.”
The first six months of 2009 the Coop has seen increased income compared to past years. “The reason for the success is that the farmers have been very supportive,” Lee said. “Without their support, like any other business, we would slowly fade away.”
The new plant will hold 4,000 tons, which is two times larger than the current fertilizer plant. The new 21,000 square foot building replaces one that was built in the 1960s and will be constructed near the West Quarry plant in Dell Rapids. It will also include new technology and will store more fertilizer.
The plant is being built on a piece of property in the Mergen’s Addition. The addition was replatted and included a lot 7, allowing the coop to purchase that piece of property. The Dell Rapids Planning and Zoning Commission and then the Dell Rapids City Council approved rezoning the lot from general business to general industrial, as well as approving a conditional use permit to build the fertilizer plant.

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