CORN SALUTE: Fontanelle feed mill processed over 1 million bushels in 2022

There are very few feed mills in the area but one of them is located in Fontanelle.

John Baudler, manager of 21st Century Cooperative’s Fontanelle location, said over 1 million bushels of corn went through their feed mill in 2022.

Several co-workers assist John Christensen and Andy Woodside, operators of the mill. Others are involved because of their roles in the grain system or administrative side of the co-op.

Farmers are able to bank grain at the co-op that is later put through the feed mill.

“We process corn, soybean meal and dried distillers grains (DDGs) for swine and cattle feed,” Baudler explained. “Farmers will figure how much livestock they have or plan to have and will set aside a certain amount of bushels of corn to feed those animals.”

Beyond the corn, soybean meal and DDGs, there are other microingredients that include amino acids, vitamins and pre-mixes that are added into the feed. Rations are decided upon based several factors that are prescribed by either the farmer or an animal nutritionist. The final product is tested for quality before it is delivered to the farm.

The Iowa Corn Growers Association says that in 2017, Iowa produced 2.7 billion bushels of corn. Iowa is a great place to grow corn because of the quality of its soil, the association says.

The ICGA says that 39% of the corn grown in Iowa goes to feed. Of that, 1.12 billion bushels (27%) goes to beef production, 793 million bushels (19%) goes to dairy, 1 billion bushels (24%) goes to swine, 1.17 billion bushels (28%) goes to poultry and 95 million bushels (2%) went to other species.

Other uses are that 27% of the corn goes to ethanol and fuel, 16% goes to exports. Other uses are food and industrial and residual.

“In our area, where our food comes from is more widely known. You get into the larger populated areas and today’s consumer is more disconnected from the process and the safety that is taking place to produce a safe food product that starts with the local farmer,” Baudler said. “We have to continue to promote the importance of agriculture, especially from the smaller communities into the more urban areas.”