PNW project could help move soybean meal

Published by Josey Mestagh

Checkoff continues to work for Kansas soybean farmers

As demand for soybean oil – particularly for biomass-based diesels like biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel – the industry needs to find new customers for the increased soybean meal volume.

Ag Processing, Inc. operates an export facility at Gray’s Harbor in the Pacific Northwest through which many Kansas soybeans travel via AGP’s St. Joseph, Missouri, location. The Gray’s Harbor port provides an ideal solution for moving soybean meal out of the U.S. and on international customers. AGP is looking to strengthen rail transportation and double export capability at this port and is seeking a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to leverage the company’s investment.

Support from soybean farmers through checkoff funds are instrumental in kickstarting these projects. The Soy Transportation spearheaded a group funding commitment with a goal of $1 million to set a strong foundation for the federal grant application. A $100,000 investment from the Kansas Soybean Commission, neighboring states’ funding input and contribution from the Soy Transportation Coalition conveys robust support for expanding the port and complements AGP’s share of the project cost.

“We are finding that if STC can get the ball rolling with the help of the soybean checkoff, the federal government can see the support for these projects.,” Mike Bellar, Kansas’ STC representative says. “It makes the grant more feasible and shows that other organizations are interested.”

This will be the third project of this type that STC has advocated for in recent years, according to Bellar, including the 2020 project to dredge the Mississippi River and extend vessel capacity for exports through the Gulf of Mexico. The Kansas Soybean Commission supported this project, as well, since it is a major avenue for soybeans out of the southeast region of the state.

Improving profit potential for our state’s soybean farmers is the mission of the Kansas Soybean Commission. The Gray’s Harbor expansion would further position Kansas farmers to be profitable no matter which direction their soybeans travel.

“Anything we can do to help the soybean farmer net more profit is our goal,” Bellar says.