Since February 2020, the feed mill at the Agtegra Herreid, SD, location has served the ruminant nutrition needs of area livestock producers. But now, the mill will add a two-legged animal diet to its portfolio – turkeys.
While turkey production may not be the most common agricultural sector in the state, South Dakota raises an average of five million turkeys a year according to the South Dakota Poultry Industries Association. Hybrid Turkeys, a global turkey genetics company, has production facilities in the Ipswich area, which has heightened demand for turkey feed in Agtegra territory.
The Agtegra Herreid team has implemented a few changes to accommodate mixing another species’ feed in the mill. In addition to more load-out spouts for the dedicated turkey feed bins, a hand-add scale and other small measuring instruments were also implemented to track feed ingredients.
A larger addition included a system used in applying Sal-Curb, a formaldehyde product used to reduce bacteria when mixing turkey feed ingredients. Other small upgrades to the mill were made to comply with turkey feed milling regulations.
Expecting to produce around 5,000 tons of turkey feed every year, the addition to Herreid’s milling capabilities will nearly double the total feed volume produced annually at the location. However, this expansion will impact much more than Agtegra’s feed business alone.
“Livestock development creates more local demand for corn and soybean meal,” says Agtegra Feed Division Manager Scott Kilber. “It also creates jobs and opportunities for our kids to stay here in South Dakota.”
Developing business in new sectors of the industry contributes to the strengthening of both economic opportunity and community growth, something that Agtegra strives to provide to its communities.
“We continue to look for opportunities to support livestock development in our area because of the impact the agriculture industry has on every aspect of our lives,” says Kilber. “Every mouth we can feed here has a ripple effect on overall growth for our cooperative, community, county and state.”
-- Sadie Vander Wal
Headquartered in Aberdeen, SD,Agtegra Cooperative是农民所有粮食和农业合作with more than 6,300 active member-owners in eastern North and South Dakota. In addition to offering grain and agronomy services, Agtegra offers its members aerial application services, fuel, feed, and precision ag hardware and software products and services.
