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Investments in soybean meal export infrastructure
Photo: Brownfield’s Brent Barnett (right) interviews ISA District 7 Director Scot Bailey at the 2024 Farm Progress Show
A leader with the Iowa Soybean Association says investments in soybean meal export infrastructure can help increase profitability for the industry.
Scot Bailey, district 7 director and a farmer from Anita, says ISA recently presented the Port of Grays Harbor a $1.3 million ceremonial check for the port’s Terminal 4 Expansion and Redevelopment Project.
“It was very interesting how the extra capacity they have to be able to load out is very helpful,” he said. “Everything comes in on train coming out of the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Iowa.”
Bailey says the port will add 40,000 feet of railroad track, build a new fendering system and stormwater collection and treatment facility, and create more than 30 acres of additional cargo storage area.
He tells Brownfield the investments will allow three additional unit trains to access the site for ag shipments.
“The speed is very important to get that stuff out there,” Bailey said. “Having the extra rail in there to be able to have that product right there is very important.”
Bailey says the funding commitment was announced in the fall of 2022. He spoke to Brownfield at the 2024 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.