The crushing industry is dominated by four players. They include Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Bunge and Ag Processing Inc., an Omaha-based soybean cooperative also financed by CoBank. South Dakota farmers increase soybean plantings by about 74,000 acres per year. Plus, soybeans are a good cash crop for farmers, and demand is growing. As the world's population grows and incomes rise, people can afford to eat more meat.
Soybean meal is an important livestock feed.
The new association stands ready to help meet demand. Half the beans processed will come from South Dakota, and the other half from Minnesota, all from a range of several hundred miles. The plant will operate from 330 to 350 days a year, processing soy meal and oil. The facility can store soybeans for up to 20 days, meal for four days and oil for 60 days. The plant, resting on 40 acres, presents an imposing sight.