A temporary 24-million-pound pile of shelled corn has been stacked in the parking lot of United Cooperative's Outagamie County facility after an exceptionally large harvest. United Cooperative CEO David Cramer said the company placed deliveries outdoors to handle the overflow while it waits for on-rail freight to move the grain. The pile represents about one-third of the site's main-bin capacity (the bin holds roughly 1.3 million bushels, or ~73 million pounds). Officials say the outdoor storage is short-term and that shipments will be arranged as rail capacity becomes available.
24-Million-Pound 'Corn Mountain' Piled in Outagamie County as Harvest Overwhelms Storage
A temporary 24-million-pound pile of shelled corn has been stacked in the parking lot of United Cooperative's Outagamie County facility after an exceptionally large harvest. United Cooperative CEO David Cramer said the company placed deliveries outdoors to handle the overflow while it waits for on-rail freight to move the grain. The pile represents about one-third of the site's main-bin capacity (the bin holds roughly 1.3 million bushels, or ~73 million pounds). Officials say the outdoor storage is short-term and that shipments will be arranged as rail capacity becomes available.
07:00 AM, 11/20/2025Economy
Drivers along North County Road A in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, are spotting an unusual Midwestern scene: a massive pile of shelled corn temporarily stacked in the parking lot outside United Cooperative's facility.
United Cooperative President and CEO David Cramer said the mound is the result of an exceptional harvest this season. With more corn arriving than usual, the cooperative has placed some deliveries in the parking area to accommodate incoming loads while it awaits on-rail freight to remove or sell the grain.
The outdoor pile holds roughly 24 million pounds of corn — about one-third of the volume the site's main grain bin can contain. That bin's capacity is approximately 1.3 million bushels, which is equivalent to roughly 73 million pounds. United Cooperative operates about 16 grain elevators, including the one at this location.
Why it matters
The accumulation highlights how a strong harvest can strain local storage and transport networks, forcing temporary measures like outdoor stacking when rail or truck capacity lags demand. Company officials say the parking-lot storage is a short-term solution and that they are coordinating with rail carriers to move the corn as soon as freight becomes available.
Cramer emphasized the temporary nature of the arrangement and said the cooperative is working to clear the lot quickly to minimize any safety or operational impacts. The cooperative plans to provide updates as shipments are arranged.
Key facts:
- Location: United Cooperative facility, North County Road A, Outagamie County, WI
- Amount in lot: ~24 million pounds of shelled corn
- Site bin capacity: ~1.3 million bushels (~73 million pounds)
- Company: United Cooperative (operates ~16 grain elevators)