Farmer-owned grain co-op CHS has announced plans for a soybean processing facility near Evansville, Wisconsin, representing an investment of approximately US$700m.
CHS, the largest co-op in the US, says the facility will have the capacity to process 80 million bushels of home-grown soybeans annually, expanding its oilseed processing capabilities and creating new market opportunities for owners.
Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with completion targeted for fall 2028. It is the latest in a series of developments by the co-op, including a deep-water port upgrade, a joint investment in AI logistics, and plans for a fertiliser production site.
“Investments like this help CHS create additional value for our owners and customers by expanding market access, strengthening our processing network and creating new demand opportunities for US-grown soybeans,” said John Griffith, executive vice president of agriculture business and CHS Hedging.
“Strong demand across food, feed and renewable fuel markets, coupled with policies that encourage domestic processing, manufacturing and energy production, reinforce the need for additional soybean processing capacity in the United States. This facility positions CHS to support farmers and customers for years to come.”
The Evansville facility will increase soybean processing capacity in southern Wisconsin, a region with strong soybean production and significant demand for soybean meal from livestock producers, says CHS. When operational, the facility is expected to employ approximately 80 people and produce approximately one billion pounds of oil and two million tons of meal annually.
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Evansville’s proximity to soybean production, rail service and major transportation corridors makes it well positioned to support the movement of soybean meal and oil to domestic and global markets, the co-op adds.
“Wisconsin’s agriculture and food processing sectors are an essential part of our state’s past and present, and they will continue to be critical for our future,” said Wisconsin governor Tony Evers. “That’s why I am proud to support and have a partner in CHS as they work to expand soybean processing right here in Wisconsin.
“Whether it’s creating permanent jobs for families or ensuring our farmers and producers have the tools and support they need to get their products to market across the globe, today’s announcement of a new facility is a win-win for our farmers and our state.”
The investment is expected to generate significant economic activity through construction employment, permanent jobs, increased demand for locally produced soybeans and expanded market opportunities for regional farmers. CHS says that during construction, the project will support hundreds of contractor and skilled trade positions.
“CHS is committed to being a long-term partner in the communities where we operate,” said Griffith. “This investment supports rural economic development, creates jobs and strengthens the agricultural supply chain for producers, customers and communities across the region.”
“For Wisconsin soybean farmers, this investment represents something we have been working toward for years: stronger demand for the crop we grow right here at home,” said Wisconsin Soybean Association president Doug Rebout. “Additional processing capacity gives growers another reliable market close to the farm and helps create long-term opportunities for Wisconsin soybeans in both meal and oil markets.”
The new facility will complement the co-op’s existing oilseed processing operations. In Hallock, Minnesota, CHS processes 525,000 metric tons of canola seed annually. In Fairmont and Mankato, Minnesota, CHS processes approximately 119 million bushels of soybeans, and when the Evansville facility becomes operational, the co-op’s soybean processing capacity will increase by more than two thirds.
