2015 "Pretty Decent" Year for Illinois Elevators, Feed Dealers

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Published on December 29 2015 9:14 am
Last Updated on December 29 2015 9:14 am
Written by Greg Sapp

While this year’s harvest season proved to be ideal for many Illinois farmers, weather-wise, it was a mixed bag for grain elevators and feed dealers in the state.

“This harvest being so dry, it really saved farmers a lot of money when it came to drying grain,” said Jeff Adkisson, executive director of the Grain & Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI), on Monday’s “RFD Today” radio program. “That’s also a revenue stream for the elevators, and we won’t see that this year in the elevator industry. We hope for some merchandising opportunities as we move through the year.”

Adkisson told show host Alan Jarand that the sector has experienced “tremendous growth” using multiple modes of transportation in the state, especially in the Decatur and Joliet areas.

“As we continue to look for other markets and other ways to ship our grain, intermodal will be good for the elevator industry and a good way to ship more of our goods overseas,” said Adkisson.

GFAI plans to hold its 123rd annual convention and trade show Sun., February 14 through Tues., February 17 at the Peoria Civic Center. The speaker for the Mon., February 15 general session will be meteorologist Reed Timmer, Ph.D., of TV’s “When Nature Strikes” and “Storm Chasers” fame. You can find registration and other information at this link or by going to:  http://gfai.org/events.asp?id=113.