Wayne Farms South Alabama feed mill complex to begin operations

Wayne Farms LLC’s South Alabama Feed Mill is finished and ready to serve South Alabama and the Wiregrass region. One of the nation’s largest poultry feed mills, the $55 million facility is located in Dale County near Ozark and Newton, Alabama and has the capacity to produce more than 25,000 tons of feed weekly. As a key component of Wayne Farms’ South Alabama expansion, the mill will employ 24 manufacturing workers, 55 feed haulers and 9 administrative staff employees for a total of 88 new positions.

The state-of-the-industry facility features the latest technology and robotics equipment, and will serve hundreds of regional poultry farms, as well as buy corn and other grain products from local farmers. The company expects to purchase about 27.8 million bushels of corn annually, with over 3 million bushels coming from local producers.

“The South Alabama Feed Mill is an investment we’re confident will pay off for us and the region for years to come,” said Elton Maddox, Wayne Farms LLC Chairman and CEO. “It will serve the farmers and our company well—we couldn’t be more proud and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support we’ve received in completing this facility—from our own team, our CSX partners, local, regional and state agencies—the cooperation has been outstanding,” he finished.

The mill can mix a variety of feed formulations, using corn, soybean meal and various minerals and vitamins to produce multiple dietary preparations, ranging from baby chick feed to broiler, pullet and hen formulas.

Looming 232 feet above the south Alabama terrain, the mill sits on 165 acres, complete with a rail-based receiving area with three receiving systems and a 90-car rail grain loop and 80-car ladder track soft stock storage loop. Separate storage for feed products and ingredients totals 6,000 square feet respectively, and a dedicated scale house with robotic sampling arm allows for precise measurement of incoming and outgoing ingredients and products.

During the South Alabama Feed Mill grand opening January 10th, Wayne Farms officials will showcase the facility’s capabilities and technology to a group of local, state and industry supporters. Wayne Farms Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Elton Maddox, Chief Operating Officer Clint Rivers and South Alabama Area Complex Manager Brad Williams will address the group, along with local and state officials including Dale County Commission Chair Mark Blankenship, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry John McMillan, and CSXT, EVP & Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Fredrik Eliasson.

Source: Wayne Farms LLC

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