Weitz Delivers Advanced Modular Feed Mill for Cargill’s Animal Research Center

The Weitz Company's Industrial group is excited to highlight their recent project with Cargill in Elk River, MN. Our team designed, fabricated, and erected the new $12.9 million modular research feed mill at Cargill's innovation center just 30 minutes north of their company headquarters.

Elk River's site holds approximately 4,500 research animals. This new modular feed mill allows for a higher degree of formulation accuracy to accommodate the wide range of livestock and poultry species fed at this site. These upgrades increase feed by a minimum of 40 tons/month up to 200 tons/month. Additionally, it can simulate global feed manufacturing practices for mash and pelleted feed needs. Weitz Professional Services' engineering team designed and constructed the modular feed mill's, while starting construction of the project at an offsite facility to increase schedule efficiency.

By implementing a modular fabrication design, Weitz Industrial group shortened the construction timeline by eight months and produced in a safer environment. Similar to a laboratory, modular fabrication occurs at an offsite facility and allows for a controlled environment where outside factors such as weather cannot affect the construction.

Gerald Leukam, Vice President | Design Services - Industrial at The Weitz Company

Once the design was completed, the project team was able to construct half the equipment and conduit into 40-foot-long by 8-foot wide by 9.5-foot tall modules before they were transported to the Elk River site. The modules were then hoisted by cranes and stacked on top of each other. This process allowed our team to increase safety through a more controlled environment, deliver the project on a condensed schedule and ensure they exceed project quality expectations. By implementing a modular fabricated feed mill design, Weitz was able to complete the construction in 13 months without disrupting production.

Opened in 1958, The Elk River Animal Nutrition Innovation Center has been instrumental in fostering Cargill's innovative approaches to nutrient measurement, aimed at enhancing the well-being and performance of animals across their entire life cycle. Given the increasing global population, the research diet feed mill at Elk River holds a pivotal role in advancing animal health and performance while using fewer resources. The Weitz Company's Industrial team is proud to have played our part in ensuring legacy companies like Cargill can continue to make advancements in our food supply industries and impact communities around the world.

Learn more about Weitz Industrial's experience at: https://www.weitz.com/expertise/industrial/