Sensenig’s Feed Mill adds the capability for long-term storage and grain drying.

Sensenig’s Feed Mill

Founded: 1945
Headquarters: New Holland, PA
Feed Production: 52,000 tpy
Products: Custom rations for dairy, equine, and poultry
Number of employees: 38

The years have been good to Sensenig’s Feed Mill in New Holland, PA. The single-site, family-owned company has been serving local dairy, equine, and backyard farmers in rural southeastern Pennsylvania since 1945.

But the lack of grain storage and drying capability meant the mill was limited, both in terms of grain buying and the range of services it could offer, says Chief Operating Officer Devin Shirk, who has been at Sensenig’s Feed Mill since 2017.

“Since we only had 4,000 bushels of storage,” Shirk tells Grain Journal, “we would buy whatever corn and soybeans we could on a weekly basis from our local farmers and turn that into feed.” Sensenig’s Feed Mill specializes in custom rations for dairy, equine, and backyard farms, producing approximately 1,000 tpw.

In 2025, Shirk says the time was right to add grain storage and a grain dryer. “Our goals were to be able to buy as much corn and soybeans as possible around fall harvest and to offer a grain banking service to its customers, which it offers at no cost.

“We really wanted to provide year-round storage at no cost as a way to support our farmers,” notes Shirk. “We’re very passionate about helping them succeed.”

So after soliciting bids from several contractors, Sensenig’s Feed Mill hired GroffJulius, York, PA, as general contractor on a vertical integration project that broke ground in late spring and was completed in late August.

“It was our first time working with GroffJulius on a major project,” says Shirk, “but they were incredible. Their communication was consistent and clear throughout the project. We had weekly meetings with them to keep everyone on the same page.”

  • Sub-contractors on the project included:
  • JNR Builders, East Earl, PA, erected the steel storage.
  • Waggoner Construction, East Berlin, PA, served as millwright.
  • CREST Engineering Associates, Pittsburgh, PA, was the consulting engineer.
  • Seaboard Construction did concrete work for the tank foundations.

Storage and Handling

The mill built two 62,000-bushel Sukup corrugated steel tanks measuring 36 feet in diameter, 70 feet at the eaves, and 80 feet at the peaks. The outside-stiffened tanks are equipped with Sukup 10-hp centrifugal fans providing 0.2 cfm per bushel of aeration. Sukup zero-entry paddle sweeps assist with cleanout of the new bins at 4,500 bph.

Also built were two 8,000-bushel Sukup steel wet bins.

The two larger tanks connect to the mill’s existing receiving system via 6,000-bph Sukup conveyors. Incoming grain deliveries all come by truck. While the mill currently does not own a truck scale, Shirk says it rents one as needed. “However, we’ve been looking into purchasing an inbound truck scale in the future.”

Sensenig’s Feed Mill also built its first grain dryer, a propane-fired Sukup model that dries corn and soybeans at 620 bph at five points of moisture removal. Sukup dryer controls provide full automation and remote access to the unit. Control Associates integrated the dryer controls into the mill’s existing automation system to control all conveyors, fans, and auxiliary items related to drying and storage.

“We’re very happy with how the project turned out,” Shirk adds. “The only big challenge was space. Since we’re located in town, we had to purchase a neighboring property to accommodate the new construction.

“Thankfully,” he continues, “we have a good relationship with the borough. They worked with us and GroffJulius to make this project happen.”

“And I would be remised if I didn’t mention that a project like ours was only possible because of the hard work and dedication of our staff. They have endured so much change over the past few years and have handled it with patience and loyalty despite the discomfort that comes with all those changes.”

SUPPLIER LIST
Aeration: Sukup
Bin sweeps: Sukup
Concrete: Seaboard Construction
Control system: Control Associates
Conveyors: Sukup
Consulting engineer: CREST Engineering Associates
General contractor: GroffJulius
Grain dryer: Sukup
Millwright: Waggoner Construction
Steel storage: Sukup
Steel tank erection: JNR Builders