Agris Co-operative’s Dutton branch upgrade complete

Agris Co-operative has announced the grand opening of its fully upgraded branch in Dutton, featuring $7.5 million in upgrades to grain storage, crop input handling, and modern site infrastructure.

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The co-operative said in a release the new facility “will greatly improve efficiency and productivity for its customers” and ushers in “a new era of enhanced services and capabilities for local farmers and the agricultural community.”
The co-operative outlined key upgrades to the Dutton branch:

• Grain capacity and receiving: An additional 400,000 bushels of storage space, a 15,000 bushel-per-hour receiving leg, and a new Millennium dryer system that dries up to 2,400 bushels per hour. These upgrades more than double the branch’s capacity for receiving, drying, and storing grain, ensuring faster and more efficient handling during peak seasons.
• UAN storage facility: A new UAN storage system consisting of 16 tanks with a capacity of approximately 3,000 metric tonnes. This ensures the availability of key nutrients at critical times, allowing for rapid distribution when farmers need it most.
• Expanded crop protection warehouse: Increased heated storage and additional bulk product capacity to handle the wide range of crop inputs required in today’s agriculture market.
• Larger maintenance shop: The expanded shop now accommodates larger, modern equipment, improving efficiency by enabling indoor maintenance.
• Site transformation and water management: The site has been completely redesigned, with an upgraded municipal drain and the transformation of a grass lot into a parking lot with new buildings and a relocated scale to streamline grain deliveries. An advanced water flow management system now controls drainage, utilizing an overflow pond and perimeter ditch to improve water flow not only on Agris property but for neighbouring lands as well.
  “Our investment in the Dutton branch is about future-proofing our services for the farmers who rely on us,” said Allan Parks, president of Agris Co-operative.
  “These upgrades are a game-changer for local farmers and the broader Dutton Dunwich community,” said Mike Hentz, mayor of the Municipality of Dutton Dunwich and former Dutton branch manager.
  “The improved capacity and infrastructure will allow our farmers to operate more smoothly and with greater confidence, knowing they have the support they need. It’s an investment that will pay dividends for the entire region for years to come.”
  The official grand opening takes place Wednesday, Sept. 25.