Milton, Iowa, USA — The newly constructed shuttle loader at Heartland Co-Op's facility in this region is now fully operational and has commenced handling its first train loading tasks. The shuttle loader facility is connected to the Union Pacific Railroad network and is designed to enhance grain transportation efficiency.

Union Pacific Railroad noted that the new grain handling facility will optimize services for farmers in south-central Iowa and expand connectivity channels to domestic and export markets. Both companies emphasized that the shuttle loader project exemplifies the collaborative efforts between Heartland Co-op and Union Pacific in the areas of operations, marketing, service design, network economics, industrial development, real estate, and public projects.

Heartland Co-Op stated that the Milton site primarily handles corn and soybeans, with a storage capacity of 5.5 million bushels, supporting efficient grain flow.

Emily Peters, Director of Marketing and Sales at Union Pacific Railroad, said, "The investment by Heartland Co-op and Union Pacific underscores our shared commitment to long-term growth. This new site strengthens our presence in the region and deepens our grain sourcing base."

Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Union Pacific Railroad transports approximately 1.3 billion bushels of grain annually, with exports accounting for 30% to 40% of that volume. Its rail network covers most major grain markets in the United States, connecting the Midwest and Western production regions to export terminals in the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf Coast, and Mexico, while also serving domestic markets such as grain processors, animal feeding operations, and ethanol producers in the Midwest and West.