West Central Ag Services Members Approve Acquisition by CHS

On November 26, 2024, members of West Central Ag Services, a cooperative based in Ulen, Minnesota, gave the green light to the sale of their cooperative to CHS, the nation’s largest farmer-owned cooperative and global agribusiness headquartered in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. The transaction is set to be finalized in the upcoming weeks.

“The West Central Ag Services board is thrilled that our members have endorsed CHS as the best match for our cooperative. By joining CHS, our farmer-members in northwest Minnesota and eastern North Dakota can efficiently access the global marketplace,” says Duane Brendemuhl, President and Chair of the West Central Ag Services Board. “Becoming part of the CHS supply chain will bring strength and long-term value to our owners and the cooperative system.”

West Central Ag Services provides grain and agronomy services to over 3,000 members and operates 14 locations in west central Minnesota. This acquisition is in line with CHS’s strategic investments to expand its global agricultural supply chain, offering end-to-end value and improved market access for the cooperative system and its owners.

“We are excited to unite as one cooperative and extend a warm welcome to West Central Ag Services members and employees to CHS. Together, we will directly link more producers to the global ag supply chain, providing extensive market access for all our farmer-owners,” says Rick Dusek, Executive Vice President of ag retail, distribution, and transportation at CHS.

West Central Ag Services will integrate with CHS as an ag retail business unit named CHS West Central, with its headquarters in Ulen, Minnesota, operating as part of CHS’s global grain and agronomy supply chains. “Our ag retail network serves around 450 communities in 16 states, offering farmers and ranchers the services and inputs they need while connecting them to global supply chains,” adds Dusek.

CHS Inc. creates connections to empower agriculture, operating as a leading global agribusiness and the largest farmer-owned cooperative in the U.S. Serving customers in 65 countries and employing approximately 10,000 individuals worldwide, CHS provides essential crop inputs, market access, and risk management services that aid farmers in feeding the world. With revenues of about $39 billion in fiscal year 2024, CHS is dedicated to reducing its impact on the planet, exploring new solutions in agriculture and energy, and investing in ways to create a brighter future for its owners, customers, employees, and communities.

Established in 2000, West Central Ag Services is a business focused on the success of its members. The cooperative continues to evolve and improve, aligning its systems and processes for the ongoing growth of its members. As a partner in ag production owned by its members, West Central Ag Services is proud to serve and provide a grower advantage in the ever-changing global marketplace.