Reading's New Vision feed plant getting a facelift

Apr. 22—READING — After 75 years of operation, the Reading feed plant operated by New Vision Co-op is undergoing a necessary remodel.

New Vision is headquartered in Brewster and boasts 19 locations serving more than 2,000 member-owners in the tri-state area. The Reading grain plant, located at 19948 McCall Ave., has been around since 1946, said CEO Matt Ashton, and has served the area well, but it's time for an upgrade.

In deciding to remodel the Reading plant, the main question was "How do we serve our customers in the area long term?" Ashton explained.

"Reading is critical to the success of New Vision," he said.

The location of the grain plant makes a significant difference in serving customers, as many from the northern and western parts of New Vision's service area don't like to cross Minnesota 60 or U.S. 59 and avoid the roundabouts in Worthington with their trucks.

The remodeled plant will include the same relative capacity and area, but will be able to accommodate larger equipment that didn't exist when the facility was first built. Working with bigger machinery onsite has become a safety concern, Ashton said, and remodeling will account for 21st century farm implements.

Demolition of the existing site began April 5.

The new grain plant will include everything that is needed to operate: a new office, scale, conveyors, overhead bins and more. In addition to new construction, the configuration of the site will be adjusted to make traffic more efficient.

"It should streamline the process," Ashton said.

He is excited about renovating the Reading location, noting that the most important goal is "having a very efficient facility that the producers in that area can be proud of and that can serve customers in the area for many years."

Work on the grain plant is expected to last through the summer, with plans to re-open before fall harvest.