Cargill Acquires Grain-Handling Assets of Former Altra Nebraska LLC Ethanol Facility

According to Robert Racek, regional Farm Service Group leader for Cargill AgHorizons, the new asset will complement Cargill's existing grain handling capabilities.

2 Nov 2009 --- Through a local bidding process completed yesterday, Cargill has acquired the rights to the land and grain handling assets of the former Altra Nebraska LLC ethanol facility in Carleton, Neb. Construction on the Altra facility began in 2006 and was approximately half complete in November 2007 when work stopped after its owners were unable to secure additional financing. Cargill will take possession of the assets effective Nov. 4, 2009.

The facility is located on the outskirts of Carleton in Thayer County and one-half mile from the existing Cargill AgHorizons grain handling facility. According to Robert Racek, regional Farm Service Group leader for Cargill AgHorizons, the new asset will complement Cargill's existing grain handling capabilities.

"This facility is a valuable asset to the entire region, and we intend to invest further in optimizing its value for our producer customers," said Racek. "While we will have to make additional enhancements to the facility to make it fully operational, we are determined to leverage this opportunity to offer more flexibility to area crop producers in terms of the delivery, storage, handling and marketing of their grain."

Cargill AgHorizons's regional Aksarben farm service group also operates grain handling facilities in Albion, Lincoln, O'Neil, and Ord, Neb., along with Council Bluffs, Iowa.