Missouri Grain Facility Designated As Sustainability Hub

Scoular has designated its grain handling facility in Adrian, MO as a sustainability showcase hub.

Located an hour south of Kansas City, the facility was built in 2012 but underwent extensive upgrades in 2022 to increase grain unloading speeds and storage capacity. It currently handles corn, wheat and soybeans and serves soybean processors, poultry feeders and flour mills.

The company has already launched several sustainability features at the site and is planning more in the coming year. Sustainability upgrades already in use at the facility will allow Scoular to reduce their own energy and fuel footprint.

“As customers develop plans to meet supply chain reduction goals, initiatives like the sustainability hub show that Scoular company is willing to engage and partner on solutions,” said Kate Pitschka, Scoular’s corporate sustainability manager. “The feedback from our customers so far is positive, and we look forward to expanding our impact and reach."

Variable frequency drive motors were recently installed on facility bunker fans to increase efficiency. Metering was also installed on the fans to track wind speed and control the motor output. Together, the company estimates these upgrades will reduce the Adrian facility's annual energy usage by as much as 67%.

Another upgrade was a system to track the site's overall fuel and energy usage per bushel and compare it with data in years to come. 

Employees are also testing and comparing lower-emission products such as electric machinery versus traditional equipment. 

More initiatives are in the works for 2024, including:

• An on-site solar panel system that will supply up to 30% of the facility’s annual energy usage.
• An environmental health and safety training center to educate and provide hands-on learning for Scoular’s operations employees companywide. 

Scoular also plans to use the upgraded location to engage with the public by offering classes for local producers and community members and seeking partnerships with schools.

Scoular regional manager and leader of the project TJ Mandl said he considers the sate-of-the-art Adrian facility the “elevator of the future.” 

“We envision a testing ground for everything from operational sustainability strategies to regenerative agriculture practices,” Mandl said. “What’s most exciting is that we’ll share our results and lessons learned with producers, customers and community members.”