Landus Cooperative is looking to bring some of its operations to one location in Jefferson.

President and CEO Matt Carstens tells Raccoon Valley Radio they are going to renovate the former beef feed mill into a seed treatment facility. He says the beef feed mill was closed two winter seasons ago because of the low demand for the product. However, Carstens believes that with the decision to convert the facility into a seed treatment operation, it will consolidate some of the 10-15 other seed treatment facilities, but it will be a win-win for them and the farmers they serve.

“Really improve our efficiency and support of our farmers and how we treat their seed and be able to do it in a timely manner. It’s a little more on their time and connection with some of the seed dealers and different seed producers. But it really helps us to be better at that seed treatment, which the co-op needs to be, ag-retailers need to be, and we think there’s a better way to do that with state of the art, one site, and really create that speed and efficiency.” 

Carstens explains why this facility in Jefferson was selected to house their main seed treatment.

“Jefferson’s a really good spot for us. You’ve got really good infrastructure here with the highways that are around here (and) close access to the interstates. Although not central in our geography, it’s close enough with that infrastructure that it makes sense from that standpoint. In addition to the fact that we have the facility, right? As people in Jefferson know, that’s a nice looking facility.” 

Carstens adds the new treatment building will handle both corn and soybeans, but will mainly focus on soybeans. He anticipates making the renovations later this year with it being fully operational by next planting season.