Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness Boosts Regional Support with $4.5 Million Facility Upgrade

Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness is making a bold commitment to growers in eastern Washington and north Idaho with a $4.5 million investment to dramatically increase its fertilizer storage and blending capacity at its Central Ferry terminal. This strategic upgrade transforms the facility from holding 500,000 gallons to over 3.5 million gallons of critical liquid fertilizer products, such as urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) and Thio-Sul — a blend of nitrogen and sulfur proven to improve crop yields.

The expansion includes three new million-gallon tanks tailored for safe, efficient storage and mixing of liquid nutrients. By enhancing the on-site ability to blend fertilizers with micronutrients, Wilbur-Ellis eliminates the need for additional shipping between locations, accelerating delivery timelines and reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

“This substantial enhancement enables us to better serve over 500 growers on more than two million acres across the Inland Empire and Palouse,” said Brent McGowan, Vice President of Operations. “Our growers produce vital crops like wheat, peas, lentils, and garbanzo beans, and this investment will empower them with more precise, timely nutrition solutions that directly boost productivity and profitability.”

The facility’s upgraded rail access further speeds supply chain efficiencies, ensuring growers get essential crop inputs when and where they need them most. This directly supports Wilbur-Ellis’s dedication to the “4Rs” nutrient stewardship principle — providing the right source at the right rate, time, and place — which promotes both sustainability and enhanced farm performance.

Wilbur-Ellis’s Central Ferry terminal now acts as a critical hub serving ten retail locations across eastern Washington, north Idaho, and northeast Oregon. The company’s continued investments underscore its commitment to innovation and partnership with growers, helping them adapt to evolving agricultural challenges with advanced, reliable inputs and services.

As Wilbur-Ellis celebrates over a century in agribusiness, this upgrade highlights its ongoing mission: to combine expertise, technology, and customer focus to support sustainable, profitable farming in the Pacific Northwest.