Poultry Producers Oppose ADM Grain Elevator Plan

ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP  (AP) - Poultry and livestock producers are upset with a plan by agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. for a big grain elevator in Stearns County.

The farmers  fear it will drive up feed costs when corn prices are already near record highs. And they're galled ADM wants a tax incentive.

The Stearns County Board will debate a conditional use permit Tuesday.

Turkey producer Pete Rothfork says the elevator would suck all the grain out of Stearns County and threaten some of his company's 30 full-time jobs.

ADM President Scott Nagel told the board the project will take grain from 10 counties.

Much of the grain would be exported but he says some will be offered to ethanol plants, feed mills and producers.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)