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New Mid-Ozark fertilizer plant aims to improve speed, supply and costs for Missouri farmers

MFA Incorporated and Black Family Enterprises have formed a joint venture called Mid-Ozark Fertilizer, LLC, to build a new dry fertilizer blending and distribution center near Lebanon, Missouri.

Jason Weirich, the Chief Operations Officer with MFA, tells Brownfield the 10,000-ton facility will serve customers across south central Missouri.

“We’re wanting to run a 60 to 65 mile radius out of here. When you go north, you’ll hit the Lake of the Ozarks, and then, you’ll hit down into Mountain Grove on the south side. Bolivar is going to be on the far side, depending on the roads.”

Weirich says the facility will handle a range of common and specialty fertilizers, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, NKS blends and nitrate-based nitrogen products, impregnated fertilizers and custom blends.

He says it provides more support for pasture, hay and row crop operations, along with the cow-calf sector.

“We’re basically taking the opportunities we’ve seen in our row crop areas and modifying it with different outputs, offering it to producers in areas where we typically don’t see a lot of investment in high speed capacity of fertilizer.”

The site will operate as a wholesale hub, supplying retailers and producers with tender equipment, and serving as a strategic storage and distribution point.

Weirich says improved efficiency could help lower farmer’s costs.

“When you look at the cost-benefit analysis, the best nitrogen for the acre as far as agronomic stewardship is something we’ll lead with from our facilities,” he says. “This is a way we’re trying to eliminate or reduce costs, by two parties coming together, but keeping the farm-gate competition alive and healthy.”

Construction is expected to begin in April, with operations starting this fall.

Hear Brownfield’s interview with Weirich.