Scott Cooperative Association will lease three grain handling facilities from Scoular in western Kansas, the companies announced today. The lease agreement takes effect Sept. 1, 2026.
The deal gives Scott Cooperative access to Scoular’s facilities in Oakley, Monument and Winona, all located north of the cooperative’s existing operations in western Kansas. All three facilities have rail access, which will expand the cooperative’s ability to reach domestic and export markets.
“We look forward to expanding our footprint and developing new producer relationships,” said Jason Baker, CEO of Scott Cooperative Association. “We take great pride in our decades-long history of providing superior service to our member-owners.”
The lease builds on an existing partnership between the two companies. Scott Cooperative and Scoular are members of the LLC that owns facilities in Selkirk and Pence, Kansas, which Scott Cooperative operates.
The arrangement allows Scott Cooperative to extend its reach into new territory while maintaining its focus on serving grain producers in the region. The three rail-served locations will give the cooperative more options for moving grain to buyers, whether they’re located in the United States or overseas.
“Scott Cooperative’s leadership and employee base are strong advocates of advancing opportunities in rural Kansas,” said Derek Spears, director of operations for Scoular’s Grain Division. “Scoular is proud to partner with them.”
The cooperative has built its reputation on serving member-owners across western Kansas. The addition of the three northern facilities represents a geographic expansion that keeps the cooperative within the same general region while opening new market opportunities.
Rail access at all three facilities is particularly important for grain handling operations. Rail-served elevators can move larger volumes of grain more efficiently than truck-only facilities, making them attractive to producers who need reliable market access during harvest and throughout the year.
The lease agreement continues a trend of cooperation between grain handling companies in Kansas. Rather than building new facilities from the ground up, companies are finding ways to work together through leases and joint ventures that make better use of existing infrastructure.
For Scott Cooperative, the lease means the ability to serve more producers without the time and expense of new construction. For Scoular, the arrangement keeps the facilities operational while allowing the company to focus on other parts of its business.
The Sept. 1 effective date gives both companies time to prepare for the transition. Scott Cooperative will need to staff the facilities and integrate them into its existing operations, while Scoular will work to ensure a smooth handoff.
