Rose Hill feed mill adds storage, speed to benefit farmers across six counties

ROSE HILL — When people hear the term “high tech,” it’s unlikely that a grain storage facility is the first thing that comes to mind. However, a recent addition to House of Raeford’s Rose Hill Feed Mill Complex incorporates advanced technology available in the industry.

According to Michael Newton, director of Corporate Feed Mill Operations for House of Raeford Farms, the technology being used in the new parts of the facility will substantially affect the efficiency of the feed mill storage complex.

“The facility is fully automated with the latest Allen Bradley PLC technology,” Newton told Duplin Journal in an email exchange. “The use of VFDs (variable frequency drives) on critical equipment provides flexibility throughout the operation. All equipment is rated for high-speed conveyance.”

VFDs enable the facility to adjust the speed of electric motors for optimal efficiency. The Allen Bradley PLC systems, developed by Rockwell Automation, support mill operations with an advanced technical system that requires specialized training, according to the Rockwell Automation website.

This new addition at the Rose Hill facility is expected to impact farmers within a large radius, as Newton noted.

“We anticipate, at a minimum, reaching and impacting grain growers within a 50-mile radius of the facility,” Newton said. “This would include the counties of Wayne, Lenoir, Jones, Onslow, Pender and Sampson, as well as Duplin.”

Dave Witter, manager of Corporate Communications and Sustainability for House of Raeford, highlighted another advantage for local farmers.

“The increased storage capacity in this region will allow them to get their crops out of the field in a timely manner and prevent spoilage,” Witter remarked.

The new facility is located directly adjacent to the existing feed mill located on U.S. Highway 117 in Rose Hill.

Newton confirmed that the new addition is already operational.

“Phase One is fully operational,” Newton said. “Phase Two is currently under construction and will provide an additional one million bushels of storage. It is a very important addition to the feed mill operation and will provide reliable grain storage for many years.”