Smith Fertilizer and Grain buys and stores grain at 7 locations in south central Iowa. Over the years SFG has upgraded our facilities to provide fast unloads that get customer trucks headed back to the field without delay. We have begun this process at the 3 facilities we purchased in 2019 and customers will see improvements as time goes by. We have increased our dryer capacities over the years so we can handle an influx of wet corn when it comes without reducing our receiving hours. We offer competitive storage rates including grain bank for those with livestock that take processed grain back out. With over 5.3 million bushels of storage under roof we never intend to put the “full” sign up. SFG offers on farm grain pickup utilizing our modern fleet of trucks and our experienced drivers. We also offer auger and grain vac services to load SFG trucks.
We check bids at several terminals everyday working to get our customers the best price we can. The SFG grain team can offer customers marketing options with the goal of increasing your bottom line. We work hard to stay informed with current market information that will help you make positive marketing decisions. We live our motto “service is our specialty” everyday and look forward to helping you with your grain marketing.
GRAIN BLOG
GRAIN MARKETING EXPERTISE
As part of the local farming community, we understand the challenges grain producers face when it comes to storing, delivering and marketing your crop every year. Our grain marketing team is widely recognized for its knowledge and market expertise. Our head of grain trading, Mark White, provides regular weekly commentary on ever-changing grain market conditions. SFG grain storage and handling services include:
- Custom Grain Drying and Grain Storage
- Licensed and Bonded Warehouse Grain Dealer
Pictured: Eric Stewart, Senior Grain Accountant, and Mark White, Grain Merchandiser/Truck Dispatcher and Knoxville Location Manager
Pictured: On-farm Grain Pickup
Grain Services
We listen to our customers to understand what services they need us to fulfill in order to keep them moving forward. SFG is proud to partner with our customers in their grain operations and currently offer the following services:
• High Speed Receiving
• Extended Harvest Hours
• Daily Grain Bids
• Marketing Contracts - Including Deferred Pay Contracts
• Competitive Grain Storage Rates
• Custom Corn Drying
• On-Farm Pick Up with Auger & Vac Services
• Grain Bank Storage for Livestock Owners
Grain Marketing Team
Mark White
Grain Division Manager
Mark White has been involved in agriculture his entire life. He was born and raised on a farm in Lucas County. He began farming right out of high school and farmed full time for 20 years until he took a sales job for the Chariton Farmers Coop.
In 2005 he came to work for Smith Fertilizer and Grain as an agronomist. Two years later he was moved into the home office and began working in administration. This included managing the Knoxville location and being the primary truck dispatcher. A year later he also became the grain merchandiser for SFG. Mark attends annual marketing seminars and reads several daily grain articles to keep informed on the grain markets.
He enjoys the opportunity to work with our many grain customers. He continues to farm part time which allows him to experience the same ups and downs that our customers feel. Mark and his wife Rhonda have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Eric Stewart
Senior Grain Accountant
Eric Stewart was born and raised in Oskaloosa Iowa. He graduated with a bachelor degree in accounting from the University of Iowa in December of 1997. Eric has been involved in some sort of accounting for over 20 years. He moved out to Seattle WA in 1998 where he met his wife Teresa. They moved back to Iowa in 2012 to raise their daughter. Eric started working at Smith Fertilizer and Grain in January 2013 as the Senior Grain Accountant. He likes to spend his time outside and with his family.
Janet Root
Grain Accountant
Janet grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated from Lincoln High School. She spent most summers growing up helping on her grandparents’ farm in New Boston, Illinois. Some of her fondest memories were hoeing beans, riding to the grain elevator to watch the barges get loaded on the Mississippi River, and riding in the cab of the combine with her late grandfather. She moved to the Knoxville area in 2021 with her husband, Cody, and their two daughters. They love every minute of country life since leaving the "big" city! In her spare time she enjoys watching her daughters perform in various activities including soccer, volleyball, basketball, band, choir, and drama. When she have a free moment, she enjoys activities such as crafting, reading, gardening, and playing fetch with her two German Shepherds, Mac and Sarge.