Sterman Masser, a grower, packer, shipper of potatoes, has acquired the Upper Dauphin Grain Center in Pennsylvania from Perdue Agribusiness and has formed the Lykens Valley Grain Co. (LVG).
Sterman Masser will use the facility to store all the grain they grow and harvest, in addition to local farmers’ wheat, corn and contracted soybeans.
“The addition of LVG to our family of companies is part of our long-term vision and commitment to growth and development of quality potatoes," said President Dave Masser.
"The acquisition helped to preserve jobs in the local community, continue to be a place for the valleys’ local farmers to sell and store their wheat, corn, and beans and provided a great business opportunity for Sterman Masser Inc. which will eventually enable us to expand our potato packing operations in Sacramento."
All former Perdue Agribusiness employees at the facility have been hired by Sterman Masser, Inc. to assist with grain center operations.
Lykens Valley Grain will dedicate storage capacity for Perdue Agribusiness this fall
Lykens Valley Grain will offer soybean storage for this fall’s harvest to farmers who choose to market and sell their soybeans to Perdue Agribusiness.
“LVG will dedicate capacity for Perdue soybean storage and will be purchasing corn from local farmers who do not have drying capability or on-farm storage capacity,” commented Michal Pechart, COO of Sterman Masser.
“Additionally, Sterman Masser Inc. will provide both fertilizer storage and a blending plant along with logistic services for Perdue Agribusiness in the form of hauling soybeans to their Bainbridge, PA, extrusion plant.”
Future upgrades to the grain center include a significant increase in storage capacity for corn and beans, facility security, and increased staffing and hours of operation.
Marketing cash crops such as wheat, corn, and beans
According to Sterman Masser Inc.’s Senior Agronomist Jonathan Price, the acquisition will also assist in marketing cash crops such as wheat, corn and beans.
“Masser’s have been growing potatoes for eight generations in Schuylkill County. We practice a sustainable three-year crop rotation that includes two off-season plantings of cover crops,” Price noted, explaining the environmental benefits.
“Diversifying the crops grown on our potato ground reduces the need for inputs to grow quality spuds. Having three unique crops builds organic matter levels in the soil, as the unharvested crop cover returns nutrients and carbon to the soil – directly reducing the amount of fertilizer needed for the crop.
"Additionally, pest and disease cycles are interrupted when potatoes are not continuously grown in the same field.”
