7 minute read
The Cargill Connection
The Cargill Connection
BRIDGING IOWA FARMLANDS TO GLOBAL MARKETS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
By Darcy Maulsby
Think of the most recent meal you enjoyed, the personal-care products and pharmaceuticals you use daily, and the biofuel (ethanol) that powers your vehicle. There’s a good chance they all contain ag products processed by the Midwest-based company Cargill, a proud supporter of Iowa agriculture and the Iowa Food & Family Project.
“We touch the supply chain at both ends, from ag commodities produced on the farm to the products that consumers use daily,” says Laura Hatcher, U.S. Bean Merchandising Leader, Cargill. “We provide food, ingredients, agricultural solutions and industrial products to nourish the world safely, responsibly and sustainably.”
Operating in 70 countries, Cargill and its more than 160,000 employees (including more than 1,900 in Iowa) work across diverse markets to deliver bold innovations in food and agriculture. Many of these solutions are rooted in rural Iowa. Cargill is the single largest direct purchaser of corn grown in Iowa, thanks to the company’s Eddyville plant. “This plant supplies enough feed to nourish 1 million head of cattle,” Hatcher says.
Cargill’s story began in Iowa in 1865 with one man: William Wallace Cargill. Back then, a rail line was constructed into the tiny community of Conover (now a ghost town) in Winneshiek County. Cargill became the proprietor of a grain warehouse (a predecessor of country grain elevators) near the McGregor & Western Railroad.
Cargill was known for his creative mind, endless energy and willingness to strike out in new directions — traits that still define the company he founded. His brothers joined him in the grain warehouse business, which became the first in a long line of agriculture-based enterprises that would make the Cargill name known worldwide.
Today, Cargill spans the global supply chain. The company has 5,000 brands, from Purina® livestock feed to Diamond Crystal® salt, along with 200 research and development locations. Cargill also operates more than a dozen facilities in Iowa, from grain elevators in Bettendorf and Muscatine to soybean processing, biodiesel, corn milling, salt and more.
In addition, Cargill operates animal health and nutrition facilities across Iowa, including plants in Sioux City, West Branch and Cedar Rapids. One such business, Diamond V, manufactures microbial fermentation feed additives to help improve animals’ immune systems and health throughout their lifetime.
“We support livestock producers and crop farmers by supplying animal feed, buying the farmers’ products and providing services to help them succeed on their farms,” Hatcher says.
Innovation from Food to Skin Care
Cargill also plays an integral role in the farm-to-fork connection. The company operates an egg processing plant in Mason City. “This facility produces 125-130 million pounds of eggs annually,” Hatcher says. “These are turned into more than 30 products, including heat-and-serve egg patties, quiches and more.”
Many of Cargill’s products make meals more memorable, thanks to ingredients that enhance beverages, ice cream, snacks, bakery items and food-service options. Cargill supplies starches and other texturizers that boost the mouthfeel of favorite foods; vegetable proteins, including soy protein and corn gluten meal; wheat flour and other fibers; chocolate and cocoa powder; and soy, canola, sunflower and corn oils.
“From healthier oils to plant-based proteins, Cargill can be counted on to create nutritious, tasty products that contribute to happier, healthier lives,” Hatcher says.
Along with food-focused solutions, Cargill’s innovations support the sustainable growth of personal care brands. Cargill Beauty offers a diverse portfolio of nature-derived ingredients for skin, hair, color and oral care.
In the spring of 2024, Cargill received an Edison Award™ for BotaniDesign™ 105, a plant-based replacement for petroleum jelly. This 100% naturally derived, biodegradable alternative is highly moisturizing and can be included in a range of personal care products.
Supporting Regenerative Agriculture
Because Cargill’s solutions begin on the farm, the company is committed to helping farmers use more regenerative ag practices. These include reducing tillage, using cover crops and using other sustainable practices to build soil health for the long term.
“To sustainably meet the growing demand for more food, we must start where the food begins — on the farm,” Hatcher says. “Adopting regenerative agriculture practices will deliver the greatest impact by reducing greenhouse emissions, improving water use, sequestering carbon and building up the resilience of our soils for the next generation.”
In 2019, Cargill became the first corporate partner for the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF), a subsidiary of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). This program links farmers with public and private partners willing to invest in conservation, says Adam Kiel, managing director of SWOF. The program provides financial incentives for soil and water stewardship practices that help improve water quality and capture carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2020, Cargill also committed to advancing regenerative agriculture practices across 10 million acres of North American farmland by 2030. In 2021, Cargill launched its own program anchored to regenerative agriculture — Cargill RegenConnect® — to provide financial incentives to farmers using regenerative ag practices.
“Every producer’s most valuable asset is the land they farm,” Hatcher says. “It’s the key to their livelihood and long-term productivity. Yet, every farm is unique when it comes to the adoption of regenerative agriculture. We want to help farmers adopt the management practices that will work best for their specific location and crops while helping them increase profitability.”
Hatcher adds that these regenerative practices also help open doors to Cargill’s downstream customers who are counting on agricultural supply chains to help them achieve their sustainability goals.
Brent Renner, who farms in north-central Iowa, appreciates this support. “Having industry partners like Cargill is critical to the success of Iowa soybean farmers,” says Renner, an at-large director for the ISA. “With strong relationships and good communication, we can quickly identify new or emerging challenges and begin finding solutions.”
Cargill continues to make good progress with Cargill RegenConnect®, Hatcher adds. “To put the impact of this initiative into perspective, we expect that by reaching 10 million acres, we’ll be able to deliver a reduction of 5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is the equivalent of removing 1 million cars from the road.”
This is good news, Renner says. “As an independent producer, sometimes asking for help is hard. Having a trusted partner makes it easier to succeed.”
Cargill Cultivates Iowa Connections
Not only was Cargill founded in northeast Iowa nearly 160 years ago, but the company continues to operate many facilities across the state, including: Iowa Falls, Bettendorf, Muscatine, Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, Fort Dodge, Eddyville, Mason City, Des Moines and Buffalo.
“Additionally, we’ve given about $2 million to communities in Iowa, primarily focused on supporting food security as part of our larger mission of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way,” says Laura Hatcher, U.S. Bean Merchandising Leader, Cargill.
