For the last two years, the team at Humboldt Co-op Agro has been planning something big!
Their new 6,000-tonne fertilizer storage facility is pretty hard to miss. You’ve probably seen it through various stages over the last year, and wondered what could possibly take up that much space. Is it a lumber shed? New condos? A mysterious warehouse, perhaps?
The secret’s out – the new Humboldt Co-op Fertilizer Shed is officially open!
The Grand Opening celebration is taking place on Friday, April 11th! Stop by Humboldt Co-op Agro on Highway 5 East from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to check it out. The ribbon cutting ceremony is at 10:30 am, followed by a $5.00 BBQ lunch in support of a local charity and hourly facility tours.
“We’re very proud of our new facility,” says Humboldt Co-op Agro Manager, Brad Frerichs. Having been with the company for 18 years, Frerichs has seen first-hand how quickly the business – and the farming community – have grown over the last few years.
“Our existing facility is 20 years old now, and it has served its time,” said Frerichs. “It's a low-capacity system and we have grown to the point where we were working many long-hour days to get the blending done, pushing that system to its limits.”
With the new Fertilizer Shed, they’re not only able to get fertilizer out the door quicker, but they’re also able to offer more micronutrients and stabilizer options. With nine separations for dry fertilizer options on site, farmers have easier access to the products they need to help their crops thrive.
“There are many products available out there now that offer specific agronomic and nutritional benefits for today’s farmers,” said Frerichs. “With this larger facility, we can precisely apply liquid and dry micronutrients, stabilizers, and blend around 200 tonnes of dry fertilizer an hour, which has them out the door and back to the field quicker.”
Every farmer knows that time is the most valuable resource during the growing season, so the faster they can get their trucks loaded and out to the fields, the sooner they can continue to the next step.
“The less time they have to sit in the lineup waiting for their fertilizer is only a benefit,” said Frerichs. “Not all farmers have their own fertilizer storage, or even if they do, they might need a blend or changes made on a short notice. Now, whenever they need, they can just come right to us and we’ll have it ready for them.”
To help keep you on schedule, Humboldt Co-op Agro also offers delivery for blended fertilizers.
“Humboldt Co-op has always taken a stand to be there for its members,” added Frerichs. “We’ve always strived to provide outstanding service, whether it’s for bulk fuels, crop protection, seed, fertilizer, or custom application. We’re very proud to be growing and expanding in a way that better meets our members’ needs.”
If you’re in the ag industry and want to check out the new fertilizer options, or you’re just someone who’s curious to see how it all works, Frerichs looks forward to seeing you at the Grand Opening celebration!