Liquid Agronomy Center Automation
Bulk Chemical Precision Metering System With After-Hours Dispensing
Project: United Farmers Cooperative, Farragut, Iowa
OVERVIEW
United Farmers Cooperative’s (UFC) prior agronomy center was approaching 30 years old and needed to be upgraded in size and efficiency to better serve its customer base. In constructing its new fertilizer/chemical building in Farragut, IA, UFC wanted two load-out bays capable of simultaneously and accurately dispensing fertilizer to each bay, as well as bulk chemicals and water. Mini-bulks and hand-adds would be dispensed through a weigh tank, and all measuring devices needed to be legal-for-trade. All systems would have to be integrated, including moving orders electronically, and the entire site had to be in a position to expand operations in the future.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
The Farragut facility’s two bays provide bulk chemical from 12 tanks, measured with mass flow meters; Bay 2 is capable of 24/7 unstaffed dispensing. Chemicals can be dispensed simultaneously to each bay for premixed loads, and also service mini-bulk repack needs. Mini-bulk chemicals are piped to a 130-gallon weigh tank on a deck scale; the weigh tank can also be used to accommodate hand-add products. All product-dispensing systems are con-trolled with a central custom PLC panel and 10-inch slope-front touchscreen Human Machine Interface (HMI). Kahler Automation’s Terminal Management TMX® software processes orders from UFC’s agronomy package, and manages all data associated with plant operation. Our Plant Supervisor PSX® software does the actual dispensing of product directed from the blend order. For after-hours dispensing in Bay 2, Kahler’s Self Serve 2 software dispenses orders.
WHAT WE DESIGNED
Kahler is proud to have partnered with UFC in providing greater speed and accuracy in their load-out operation to fulfill current demand and future growth. Utilizing the latest measuring technology along with our Terminal Management TMX and Plant Supervisor PSX software has minimized their shrink to nearly zero and allows for real-time inventory reporting. With our system interfacing seamlessly with UFC’s accounting software, their team is able to be more efficient and productive.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY
Larry Schniepp, Location Manager, United Farmers Cooperative
“Inventory management is seamless with the Kahler software; it’s very easy to keep track of what’s coming in and going out, and it just works a lot better.”
Gregg Herzberg, Sales Agronomist, United Farmers Cooperative
“Training and support with Kahler has been excellent; they’re always there when we call. Our experience has been great with Kahler’s system.”
