Mountain View Co-Op Ground Pile Storage
Maximizing Market Opportunities Through Strategic Storage Solutions
Mountain View Co-op faced a compelling market opportunity that required immediate action. With substantial harvest grain receipts and favorable market conditions showing significant carry potential—where futures prices were trading substantially above current spot wheat prices—the cooperative needed efficient storage capacity to capitalize on this lucrative spread. Rather than investing in expensive permanent storage infrastructure, Mountain View partnered with Gales Design and Consulting to implement an innovative ground pile storage system capable of holding 4 million bushels, enabling them to hold their grain and capture the market carry that would maximize their members’ returns.
Engineering Excellence Through Cost-Effective Construction
The project’s success hinged on selecting the most economical construction method without compromising durability or functionality. Gales Design and Consulting specified roller compacted concrete for the storage pad construction, delivering exceptional value at roughly half the cost of traditional poured concrete methods. This strategic material choice resulted in substantial cost savings while providing the robust foundation necessary for storing millions of bushels of grain. The massive scale of the project—featuring ground piles measuring 150 feet wide by approximately 1,300 feet long—required the establishment of an on-site batch plant to ensure consistent concrete supply and maintain construction momentum throughout the build.
Delivering Results Through Innovation and Expertise
This time-lapse documentation captures the remarkable transformation of raw land into a sophisticated grain storage facility, showcasing Gales Design and Consulting’s ability to execute complex agricultural infrastructure projects efficiently and cost-effectively. The completed facility represents more than just storage capacity—it embodies a strategic business solution that enables Mountain View Co-op to respond dynamically to market conditions and maximize profitability for their member-owners. Through innovative engineering, strategic material selection, and meticulous project management, Gales Design and Consulting delivered a world-class storage solution that positions Mountain View Co-op to thrive in an ever-changing agricultural marketplace.