Photos: MaxYield Coop's Klemme, IA Construction Moving Ahead Swiftly for Harvest

Klemme, IA — Big improvements are moving ahead swiftly at MaxYield Cooperative's Klemme, IA location, according to a Sept. 1 update.

West Bend, IA-based MaxYield Cooperative (515-200-5115) is adding a new 105-foot diameter 750,000-bushel GSI steel tank, 4,000-bushel-per-hour grain dryer, upgraded receiving speed and other infrastructure to modernize the Klemme grain complex.

It's all part of a $4.5 million investment approved by the board of directors in December 2019.

MaxYield noted in its update that the main grain leg tower has been constructed with conveyance added to existing grain storage. Work on the receiving pits and grain load out area is moving forward.

The bin-jacking process also has begun on the 750,000-bushel GSI steel tank. Once the tank is completed, crews will work on electrical wiring and other infrastructure for the tank.

The improvements are expected to be online and ready to receive this fall's harvest and will be featured in the September/October Grain Journal.

According to MaxYield, the timing was excellent to upgrade at Klemme, especially after a severe storm hit the area in September 2019 and damaged much of the facility's grain-handling equipment. This created more challenges at the facility, which was damaged by fire in 2003.

In Aug. 20 update, Frank Uhde, East Area team leader at MaxYield, said the upgrades will be huge, not only to Klemme, but for clients in surrounding areas as well.

“If you saw this facility in the last 10 years, you knew it was time for improvements at Klemme,” Uhde said “These upgrades will be phenomenal.”

MaxYield Cooperative is in the midst of three major capital improvements in 2020. In addition to Klemme, work is progressing well on new grain bins at Belmond and in Britt.

Belmond and Britt also are set to be completed before harvest 2020. Each of the 105-foot-diameter bins will hold approximately 750,000 bushels

“All these projects are on track and will be done in time for fall harvest,” said Keith Heim, CEO. MaxYield’s strong financial position makes these major investments possible, he added. “Not only do we have support from clients in these areas, but we’ve continued to strengthen our balance sheet by building working capital and managing cash flow to pay for these grain improvement projects.”

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