South Dakota Soybean Processors Opens Historic Multi-Seed Processing Plant in Mitchell
MITCHELL, S.D. — On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, South Dakota Soybean Processors, along with project partners, investors, and state and local officials, hosted a private grand opening ceremony and celebration for their new High Plains Processing plant south of Mitchell, South Dakota. This project, which began construction in September of 2023, marks the largest agricultural project in South Dakota history.
“Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marks more than just the opening of a new facility. It marks a new era of opportunity for producers across our state,” said South Dakota Soybean Processors CEO Tom Kersting. “This multi-seed processing plant is a game-changer for our agricultural community. It not only brings additional value-added processing into the state, but by doing so, it also reduces transportation costs, increases local demand, and provides greater market stability for our soybean growers. The benefits will ripple across the entire ag economy.”
Nearly 1,000 guests attended Tuesday’s private tours of the facility followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony, including Commissioner Bill Even from the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Secretary Hunter Roberts of the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Senator Casey Crabtree of South Dakota District 8, and South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden.
“South Dakota has a proud reputation of being Open for Opportunity — High Plains Processing is proof of that fact, and it is one of the largest projects in our state’s history,” said South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden. “This new facility will be a huge economic driver for the Mitchell community and a big boost to South Dakota agriculture!”
The $500 million facility has the capacity to process 35 million bushels of soybeans annually or the equivalent of one million tons of higher-oil crops. The High Plains Processing plant will provide an economic boost to not only the Mitchell area, but also the entire state of South Dakota while creating an estimated 85 full-time job opportunities and payroll of approximately $5.5 million annually.
“This plant stands as a shining example of what we can achieve when farmers, business leaders, and community members work together toward a shared goal. It’s not just a facility—it’s a legacy we’re building for the next generation of agricultural leaders,” said Kersting.
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ABOUT SOUTH DAKOTA SOYBEAN PROCESSORS
South Dakota Soybean Processors (SDSP) is a limited-liability company headquartered in Volga, South Dakota, is owned by approximately 2,200 members, most of whom reside in South Dakota and nearby states. In addition to the new Mitchell plant, SDSP operates processing plants in Volga, South Dakota, and near Miller, South Dakota. For more information on SDSP, visit SDSBP.com.
Value added in our state is how we combat low commodity prices! Anyone trying to make a living directly or indirectly from agriculture should be supporting value added in our state, from animal feeding to processing to direct to consumer sales.
90 percent of seed oil comes from soybeans. It will be interesting to see what comes of RFK and Trumps moving away from seed oil. Tariffs will also cause issue with soybean markets. Big subsidies will have to come to keep producers whole.
Too much Omega-6 fatty acid and not enough Omega-3 to balance it leads to inflammation, which in turn causes all sorts of illness, like arthritis, as well as premature aging. It will make you look and feel terrible..
Lard and tallow are better options than soybean oil. SD produces lots of lard and tallow.
RFKjr science.
21 million dollar TIF (taxpayer money) and 6.7 million from GOED (taxpayer money) and 13.7 million dollars from the State Railroad Board (taxpayer money) to get this facility stood up. Millions more in subsidies (tax payer money) will be paid to our GOVERNMENT FARMERS to get their product in this facility. Where are Doeden, Hansen, and Taffy the TIF Hater on this one. Seems like we are picking winners with our tax payer dollars. I thought we were all about the free market and capitalism working itself out. If it was such a great facility, the developer should have foot the bill. If agriculture truly works it wouldn’t need government subsidies to survive. Hypocritical bunch.
It will make a small dent in the soybean surplus generated by our economic morons in the White House. The goofy acts four years ago shifted chinas purchases to Brazil as much as possible. The latest stupidity will cause Brazil to increase production at the expense of South Dakota farms. But that’s exactly what the majority of farmers voted for.
And Paraguay. Maga has no idea what they are destroying.