In Mason City, something big is emerging this spring. Something really big. Golden Grain Energy is building a grain bin that’s no ordinary structure – this is a monster. In fact, when construction is complete this summer, it will be the world’s largest grain bin. So exactly how big is this monumental bin and why is it being built? Read on to find out.
Golden Grain is a privately-held company that turns corn into ethanol. Its facility produces about 120 million gallons of ethanol annually and it’s owned by 900 members - the majority of the owners are farmers.
Facebook / Golden Grain Energy, LLC
The company employees more than 50 people and it uses - and stores - a lot of corn. It purchases 42 million bushels of corn annually from producers and dealers.
Facebook / Golden Grain Energy, LLC
Work began in 2020 on a huge grain big to store corn for the plant. The new bin will hold 2.2 million bushels. It will be 165 feet in diameter and 155 feet fall. That’s about the height of a 15-story building! In comparison, the tallest building in Mason City has eight floors.
Facebook / Golden Grain Energy, LLC
Construction has been a big undertaking - work began in September, 2020 and the bin is expected to be operational this June.
Facebook / Golden Grain Energy, LLC
The foundation itself was massive - one day last fall, workers poured 358 cubic yards of concrete.
Facebook / Golden Grain Energy, LLC
When the bin is complete, it will take equipment 88 hours to fill the structure with corn, if the machines are running at full speed. Including the capacity of the plant’s existing smaller bins, the company will be able to store a month’s worth of corn.
Facebook / Golden Grain Energy, LLC
While there are no plans to use the plant as an airplane hangar, the builder of the bin, Sukup Manufacturing Co. of Iowa, released a mockup that shows how a Boeing 767 could fit comfortably inside this structure!
Facebook / Sukup Manufacturing Co.
While this structure represents a current milestone in Iowa agriculture, here are some photos that will show you some of Iowa’s farming history.
Facebook / Golden Grain Energy, LLC
Facebook / Sukup Manufacturing Co.
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