By Daniel Nolker
For the Ranger-Review
With an increase of pulse crop acres in Montana, a Canada-based pulse crop trading company made West Glendive the site of its newest receiving facility.
John Piracha, president and CEO of ITC International Inc., said the company provides pulse crop products to 25 to 30 countries, with the Indian subcontinent being their main market. Although they have been sourcing product from Canada for the past 20 years, Glendive is now the focal point for their U.S. operations.
Since 2011, Montana has been the leader in pulse crop production in the U.S. with over 1 million acres planted in peas and lentils in 2016. Consistently low wheat prices over the past several years coupled with the soil health benefits of pulses in a crop rotation program led to an increase of 216,000 acres in Montana from 2015 to 2016.
“I see room for good growth in pulse crop production, not only for more acres, but also new pulses and legumes that aren’t currently produced in Montana,” Piracha said. “We want to provide a resource for producers to market their specialty crops to an international customer base.”
Although there are already grain receiving and shipping facilities in Glendive, Piracha said pulses have specific handling needs that are not the same as wheat and oil seeds. The new facility is intended to be a resource for specialty crop growers to work alongside the elevators that handle the still-dominant small grain market, he added.
The current grain bins on site can hold 29,000 bushels but more storage and handling capability is planned for the future. Piracha said the goal is to process around 100,000 tons annually through the facility.
Yard manager Brady Smith said they have already loaded out nine rail cars and expect to continue working consistently as more producers learn about the new facility.
The facility provides a real benefit to farmers, said Mid-Rivers Communications community resource specialist Kathy McLane. McLane was part of the team who worked to get Piracha established in Dawson County.
“With local storage and shipping right here in town, producers won’t have to drive hundreds of miles to deliver their specialty crops,” McLane said.
Although it has been open less than a month, the facility has seen farmers from as far away as Plentywood bringing their pulse crops to the receiving facility.
McLane added the benefits are not limited to pulse crop growers because ITC International intends to be part of the community. The rich possibilities for community partnerships with the company are encouraging, she said.
Piracha said he would like to thank the community for helping his company get established, and he is looking forward to having a long relationship with the folks in Glendive.
McLane said it would not have been possible without collaboration between local organizations. The network of economic development partners made it all possible.
“In Dawson County we are so blessed to have talented and passionate leaders like Cathy Kirkpatrick at Dawson County Economic Development Council and Christine Whitlatch at the Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. Only through joint collaboration with strong community partners could this be possible,” McLane said.
Kirkpatrick said she looks forward to the possibilities of having the new facility in Glendive.
“ITC International worked closely with the MT Deptartment of Ag and BNSF Railway to establish a pulse crop transportation facility in Montana and specifically Dawson County. On behalf of DCEDC I would like to welcome John Piracha and ITC International. Dawson County is pleased and optimistic about the vision and economic potential ITC International brings to this region,” Kirkpatrick said.
Reach Daniel Nolker at dan.nolker@gmail.com.