Boeshore Discusses Operations At United Grain
United Grain, which is situated to the southeast of Culbertson just across the railroad tracks, is a structure that is hard to miss. The grain elevators rise above the town and serve as a staple for our farming community. Constructed in 2013, the United Grain elevator services farmers from approximately a 50mile radius, purchasing primarily spring wheat which is transported out by rail.
Jason Boeshore, the manager of United Grain for the last two years, is originally from South Philadelphia. He made his way to our little community through an intriguing journey. After enlisting in the Pennsylvania National Guard while in high school, he began down the path of attending ROTC, becoming a Commissioned Officer and later spending the majority of his time with the Missouri National Guard. He was deployed to Afghanistan for a period of 15 months between 2009 and 2010, with a composite unit where he extracted roadside bombs. “After my tour to Afghanistan, I knew I was going to get deployed again, and I felt like my fun meter was filled up all the way,” said Boeshore, “so after 12 years it was time to make a change.”
Boeshore went on to explain how he met up with a professional organization that specializes in matching up skills of military officers with Fortune 500 companies and after attending a conference in Chicago, IL., he found that his background with data analysis for the military could be put to work for Scouler Grains & Seed as a Grain Merchandiser.
After two years with Scouler, Boeshore moved onto other ventures, putting his experience as a Grain Merchandiser toward becoming the manager at United Grain.
United Grain currently employs six people in its office to oversee daily operations. During the off season, United Grain receives anywhere from 50-70 trucks a week. During harvest season, 70 trucks a day can pass through the elevator. Trains are dispatched accordingly.
“What once would take 12 employees 10 hours to load a grain train, now takes three employees with the elevator.”
Boeshore provided a tour of the facility. “Our elevator is top of the line,” Boeshore said, while pointing out the computerized system that monitors the fill levels of the bins and sensors that are in place to detect the need for oil in motors used to circulate the grain.
Boeshore said he is excited about future operations and the introduction of a program with the expansion of canola seed as canola that is starting to become a large source in consumer products. Exploring this new area will help United Grain to expand, requiring at least two new grain bins. Currently there are four concrete and two steel containers that house wheat products. Due to possible cross contamination, the canola will have to be stored in new bins. Canola seed has a higher rate of exchange, will allow farmers to expand their production options. Boeshore said this new expansion will open up some employment opportunities in the future for the community. Although this is just in the planning stages, Boeshore is hopeful the program will be developed in the next couple years. No specific time frame has been established.
United Grain is located on 2nd Avenue West in Culbertson. Call 406-787- 5867 for more information.
