CHS Expands Grain Storage to Meet Rising U.S. Crop Production

Over the past six years, the U.S. grain storage capacity has lagged behind the surge in crop production, leading to bottlenecks and quality issues. Between 2000 and 2019, grain bin capacity expanded at a steady pace, but from 2019 to 2025, only 337 million bushels of new storage were added annually. Meanwhile, corn yields rose from 171.4 bushels per acre in 2020 to 186.5 bushels per acre in 2025, with last year's record 17 billion bushel corn crop exacerbating the storage shortage.

Kent Mulder, CHS vice president of operations, emphasizes the critical importance of speed and space in grain handling. CHS is investing in infrastructure upgrades to address these challenges, particularly in regions where shifts from wheat to corn production have intensified storage demands.

One notable project completed in early 2025 is the 1.1-million-bushel storage system at the Worthing, S.D., grain terminal. This expansion includes a six-bin concrete structure and a new rail loop, enabling faster train loading and greater operational flexibility. Ben Lyden, senior director of operations, highlights that the facility can now load a 450,000-bushel shuttle train in just six hours, more than twice as fast as before.

The upgrades have significantly reduced farmer wait times, with trucks being unloaded and back on the road in 15 minutes or less. Local farmer Jonathan Hagena praises the expansion, noting its crucial role during last fall's record corn harvest. The project also serves as a template for future CHS grain expansion efforts, offering efficiency and cost-saving benefits.