Fact Sheet: Proposed Waupun Soybean Processing Facility Would be Wisconsin's First

BACKGROUND
WSBCP, LLC, in collaboration with the City of Waupun and the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, has proposed the development of a $150 million soybean crushing facility located in the Waupun Industrial Park in Waupun, Wis. The facility would be Wisconsin’s first soybean processing facility.

WISCONSIN’S SOYBEAN INDUSTRY (Source: Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and UW Madison Department of Agronomy)

  • Wisconsin is the nation’s 12th largest soybean producer, with more than 18,000 soybean farmers who annually produce more than 100.6 million bushels (2017) of soybeans a number that has been on the rise in recent years. It is expected that farmers will plant 2.2 million acres of soybean in WI in 2018.
  • Waupun is located in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties and collectively farmers in these counties produced 6.8 million bushels on 133,300 acres of land in 2017.
  • There were 1.33 million acres of soybean planted within a 100 mile radius of Waupun in 2017 with an estimated production of 62.5 million bushels.
  • Despite its significant soybean production, Wisconsin does not currently have an in-state crushing facility to process soybeans into soy oil, soy protein and soy meal used for animal feed.
  • At this time, soybeans grown in Wisconsin must be shipped out of state for processing, and then trucked back into the state for distribution to farms.

PROJECT BENEFITS

  • The proposed in-state crushing facility aims to reduce costs for farmers, keep jobs in Wisconsin, reduce wear and tear on infrastructure and contribute positively to the Waupun and state economy.
  • Once operational, the facility would employ approximately 39 full-time staff with an annual estimated payroll of $2.2 million.
  • The proposed project is projected to have a significant economic impact as it relies heavily on a network of producers and has the potential to develop ancillary business opportunities through the supply chain. Beneficiaries include local producers, equipment and machinery manufacturers, other value-added agriculture processors, and businesses in the construction and logistics service sectors to name a few.

FACILITY DETAILS

  • The facility would be located on 66.5 acres in Waupun Industrial Park. This site was selected after a thorough, site-specific feasibility study conducted by Frazier, Barnes & Associates, LLC, a national engineering and consulting firm.
  • Following final approval, construction would begin in 2019 with completion slated for 2021.
  • Once fully operational, the facility will be able to process up to 100,000 bushels of soybeans daily. Annual soybean purchases are estimated at 33 million bushels.
  • The facility will produce approximately 3,000 tons of soy meal, soy protein and soy oil each day, and roughly 800,000 tons of meal and hulls annually.

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

  • WSBCP, LLC is the developer for the project. The principal owner and advisors of this company have extensive experience in the grain processing industry.
  • This project is supported by the City of Waupun, which currently owns the land on which the facility would be built.
  • Additionally, the project is supported by both the Wisconsin Soybean Association and the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board, which support Wisconsin soybean growers, help find and grow markets for soybeans, and identify new uses for soy.

TRANSPORTATION IMPACT

  • Rail service via Wisconsin and Southern Railroad; Estimated Traffic: / 3 unit train per week; An estimated average of 100 semi-trucks per day with a peak of 250 during harvest.
  • Trucks predominately routed via US 151 North and South bound with exits at State Highway 26 which will minimize the amount of truck traffic and wear and tear on City roads/infrastructure.
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