ADM invests in Oklahoma feed logistics hub to strengthen livestock supply chain

USA – ADM has announced a multimillion-dollar investment to expand capacity at its grain elevator in Optima, Oklahoma, strengthening the movement of corn and feed ingredients to one of the United States’ largest livestock-feeding regions. 

The investment will increase the facility’s ability to handle both corn and corn gluten feed pellets, improving supply chain efficiency for livestock producers across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle.

According to ADM, the upgrades are expected to cut train unloading times by around 50%, significantly increasing throughput and enabling faster movement of feed ingredients from grain-producing regions to cattle feeding operations.

The project includes the addition of 150 railcars of track capacity and a new rail unloading pit equipped with two hard car diggers, allowing more grain to be received and processed in less time.

ADM said the Optima elevator plays a strategic role in its North American logistics network by receiving grain and feed products from across the country before distributing them to customers in the Panhandle, one of the country’s most concentrated livestock-production areas.

“Optima serves one of the country’s largest livestock-feeding regions, and we continue to see demand increasing, making efficient movement of grain and feed ingredients especially important,” said Tim McHenry, Vice President, North America Grain & Feed.

He added that the investment will help connect American farmers’ crops more efficiently to expanding livestock markets while strengthening the feed supply chain serving producers in the region.

Improving feed ingredient distribution

Corn gluten feed pellets are widely used in beef and dairy cattle diets as a cost-effective source of protein, fibre and energy. 

Faster handling and greater storage capacity are expected to improve the availability of these feed ingredients while reducing transport bottlenecks.

ADM also said the investment will improve operational safety and reliability.

“We’re not just adding capacity; we’re making the entire unloading process safer, more reliable and more efficient,” said Michael Means, Vice President of North American Milling and Ag Services Operations.

The expansion comes as demand for livestock feed continues to grow, driven by strong cattle feeding activity in the U.S. High Plains. 

Improving logistics infrastructure is increasingly viewed as essential for ensuring a reliable supply of feed ingredients while reducing delays and transportation costs.

Once completed, the upgraded Optima facility is expected to strengthen ADM’s grain and feed distribution network, supporting livestock producers with more efficient access to corn and feed products while enhancing the company’s ability to respond to growing market demand.

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