CHS Inc. is auctioning off three grain elevators in southern Minnesota after announcing plans to close the facilities following the 2026 fall harvest, marking a shift in how the farmer-owned cooperative operates in a changing grain supply chain.
The company will sell facilities in Kasson, Claremont and Dodge Center through sealed bid auctions, with the Kasson and Claremont properties featuring substantial grain storage and handling infrastructure. A fourth property in Mt. Olive, Mississippi, is also being offered as surplus to ongoing operations.
CHS informed employees in June about the planned closures of elevators in Kasson, Ostrander and Wykoff. The company said at the time that it may sell the facilities instead of shuttering them entirely.
“The grain supply chain in southern Minnesota has evolved into a market where local corn/soybean processing facilities and river terminals are the primary markets,” CHS said in a statement.
Kasson facility offers major capacity
The Kasson property at 107 8th Ave. S.W. sits on approximately 8.08 acres and features roughly 3.5 million bushels of combined grain storage capacity. The facility includes a 2011 Zimmerman 12,000-bushel-per-hour tower dryer and can receive approximately 40,000 bushels per hour through multiple dump pits.
The site includes a 2011 office facility, truck scale and grain probe, along with two income-producing warehouses currently rented to an established ag retailer. A 24/7 self-serve Cardtrol fueling station operates on the property.
The facility sits adjacent to the Canadian Pacific rail line with an inactive spur that once connected the property to the rail system. Sealed bids are due November 19 at 4 p.m. Central Time, with inspections scheduled for October 29 and November 12.
Claremont site includes leaseback option
The Claremont facility at 135 West Front Street offers approximately 583,016 bushels of grain storage capacity on 1.93 acres in downtown Claremont. The property features a 337,306-bushel Sioux steel grain bin with permanent sweep, along with multiple Butler steel grain bins from the 1990s.
Grain handling equipment includes a 10,000-bushel-per-hour big elevator leg and three 5,000-bushel-per-hour elevator legs. A 2019 Sukup pit conveyor with 2-speed VFD handles 10,000 bushels per hour.
CHS intends to lease back the main office and truck scale following the sale under a two-year lease arrangement with a two-year renewal option at $12,000 annually. The company will pay utilities on the office and scale portion, while the buyer will have use of the scale during the lease term.
The property sits along West Front Street, adjacent to city hall and a city-owned park. A formerly used rail spur on the Canadian Pacific rail line runs along the south side of the property, though it’s not currently in service.
Dodge Center warehouses round out offerings
The Dodge Center property at 14 1st Street S.E. consists of two commercial storage buildings totaling approximately 2,036 square feet on 0.47 acres. The east storage building from the 1970s measures roughly 836 square feet, while the west building from the 1990s spans approximately 1,200 square feet.
Both buildings feature concrete floors, electrical service and overhead doors. The property offers potential for equipment storage, vehicle storage or other commercial uses subject to applicable zoning requirements.
Company focuses on larger facilities
CHS will continue operating the facilities through fall harvest and will keep buying grain for delivery to processing and river facilities. The company has made significant investments in its Mankato and Fairmont elevators, reflecting the industry trend toward larger, more efficient processing facilities.
The sealed bid auction process allows pre-auction offers, with complete property information packets available through Tyler Maas at Maas Companies Inc. at 507-285-1444. Prospective buyers are encouraged to inspect properties during scheduled times and conduct their own due diligence before submitting bids.
All three Minnesota properties will be sold with the sealed bid deadline set for November 19 at 4 p.m. Central Time.
