Steam-flaked corn and barley, and custom pelletized calf feeds, are three new options available to Idaho beef and dairy producers through Scoular’s latest expansion in Jerome. The $20 million project to add additional feed processing will be online by Nov. 1. The company’s regional manager, Andy Hohwieler, says adding steam-flaked processing is needed because the Magic Valley has been a net importer of such commodities over the past several years.
“A shift in customer demand toward flaked grains has put this area in a deficit,” Hohwieler says. “We were previously importing flaked grains from the Treasure Valley and from Utah to include in our feed mixes. The capacity and capability of this facility should displace some of those imported tons and also meet the growing demand we expect to continue to see in the years to come.”
The Magic Valley is home to nearly 1 million cattle and calves, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Feeding steam-flaked corn versus, for example, ground corn is a gold standard for cattle ration formulation. That’s because the steam-flaking process breaks open the corn kernel, making it easier for cows to digest the nutrients inside and thus a more efficient feed.
“Our producers are incredibly adaptive. They have a continuous improvement mindset,” Hohwieler says. “They're always looking for that next thing that can propel their operation toward more efficiency and profitability. Feeding steam-flaked corn is just one example of their effort toward continuous improvement.”
Industry leaders believe the new expansion is good news for producers.
“This gives producers more options for how they want to handle feed on their farms,” says Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association.
This is one of several silos capable of processing steam-flaked corn at Scoular’s recent expansion in Jerome. Photo by Walt Cooley.
The new plant will also be able to create calf feed pellets. These would be fed to dairy calves after weaning. The plant can customize formulations depending on a producer’s preferences for how they prefer to feed during raising.
That customization is important to Jeff Ackerman, chief operating officer for Bettencourt dairies.
“Scoular is helping us provide the right nutritional profile to the animal at the right time. Tailor-made feed blends are essential,” Ackerman says.
The new facility increases the company’s footprint in the Gem State. The Jerome location was originally built in 2005 and has seen several expansions since.
“This expansion opens the door to work with cattle producers in ways that we haven't been able to before,” Hohwieler says. “We’re now touching new animals on the beef side and also more of the life cycle of feeding on the dairy side.”
The new feed options from the plant will be delivered as far as south-central Utah, eastern Oregon and southeast Idaho. Hohwieler is excited to see production from the facility’s expansion go live.
“This project started by listening to the customer and recognizing change on their operations, and it was a chance for us to meet our customers where they are already going,” Hohwieler says.
Magic Valley cattle numbers (cattle and calves by county)
Gooding – 346,237
Jerome – 269,031
Cassia – 264,897
Lincoln – 64,302
Minidoka – 54,709
Source: 2022 Census of Agriculture
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