COTTAGE GROVE, WISCONSIN, US — Alcivia, a member-owned agricultural and energy cooperative, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway celebrated the opening of a new shuttle loader facility in Hager City, Wisconsin, US, with a ribbon-cutting on March 12.

Construction on the 40-acre site began in April 2024. The location has eight steel grain bins with a storage capacity of 3.9 million bushels of grain, alongside two 4,700 bph grain dryers and three 1,500-bushel-capacity dump pits for a combined grain handling speed of 60,000 bph.

The facility features 21,573 linear feet of Class I BNSF-supported track and provides market access for farmers to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. The facility features access to Class I BNSF and provides market access for farmers to the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. An 80,000-bushel bulk weigher can load out a train in under 10 hours.

“The investments we’re making today in our people, facilities, and services are all part of a broader strategy aimed at fostering growth and innovation for years to come,” said Jim Lange, chairman of the Alcivia Board of Directors, in a Jan. 23 project update as completion neared. 

In addition to grain handling, Alcivia said it envisions adding a 24-hour unattended two-bay loading terminal for liquid fertilizer and rail liquid propane unloading and storage. These services will streamline operations for farmers, saving time and improving overall productivity. By centralizing these resources, Alcivia said it is creating a hub designed to meet the diverse needs of modern agriculture.

“This facility reflects Alcivia’s commitment to innovation and to supporting our members and community,” said Jim Dell, president and chief executive officer of Alcivia. “We’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on farmers, providing the speed, capacity and market access they need to thrive.”