CONNECTING LOCAL FARMERS TO GLOBAL MARKETS
HARVESTING
QUALITY
Columbia Grain International leads the way in sustainable agriculture, connecting local farmers to global markets for grains, pulses, and oilseeds. We discover how the company’s robust supply chain and innovative solutions are nurturing the world’s food security
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Scarlett Burke
Columbia Grain International (CGI) stands in a prominent position in the agricultural sector, renowned for its extensive supply of bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, and oilseeds – both conventional and organic. What differentiates the company is its unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability, as well as its dedication to sourcing high-quality ingredients from local farmers through safe and environmentallyfriendly cultivation practices, guided by
a mission to nourish the world.
Founded in the early 2000s, CGI is a US-based enterprise specializing in the sourcing, marketing, and distribution of agricultural commodities, with a particular emphasis on grains and oilseeds. The company operates across various regions, including the lush Pacific Northwest, and engages in both domestic and international trade, catering to a diverse range of sectors such as food processing, animal feed, and biofuels.
CGI’S INNOVATIVE SEED AND AGRONOMY PROGRAM
The company’s Seed and Agronomy Program is designed to help farmers and buyers foster growth.
It includes expert agronomy forecasts, high-quality seeds and seed advice, support for all stakeholders throughout the entire harvest cycle, and identified market opportunities.
The dedicated support and bidirectional flow of information generated by this program work to enhance the agricultural system as a whole, enabling the company to nourish the world safely.
CGI not only sells the highest-quality certified and conditioned seeds but also builds long-term partnerships that provide comprehensive crop health support.
The expert team consists of top-tier third-party breeders, experienced certified crop advisors, and brokers who guide growers in selecting the right seeds based on current conditions and market outlook.
Through its innovative Seed and Agronomy Program, the company is fostering growth for all crop stakeholders and providing continuous, dedicated support to growers and buyers.
Certified crop advisors play a crucial role throughout the entire harvest cycle by conducting extensive field research to inform seed selection, making regular visits to assess soil, maintain crop health, resolve problems, and identify market opportunities.
CGI’s Seed and Agronomy Program cultivates partnerships and information exchanges that enhance crop health and improve financial outcomes.
Over the years, CGI has developed a solid supply chain that encompasses a network of more than 8,000 dedicated farmers across the Northern Tier of the US. This expansive reach not only supports local agriculture but also plays a pivotal role in bolstering the nation’s food security.
At the heart of CGI’s operations lies a determination to deliver quality produce in a sustainable manner, which is reflected in every aspect of its business.
By fostering strong relationships with farmers, suppliers, and customers alike, CGI ensures the reliability and efficiency of its supply chain.
This allegiance to excellence has earned the company a reputation as a trusted provider of top-tier products and services within the agricultural industry.
STREAMLINE OPERATIONS, BOOST ROI
Integrated end of line solutions for food and agriculture, driving e ciency and growth.
Columbia/Okura delivers signi cant ROI through custom-engineered end-of-line bagging and palletizing systems designed to meet the unique needs of diverse industries, with a strong emphasis on food and agriculture. With over 400 installations in the food sector, we bring deep expertise in sanitation, food safety, and delicate product handling. Our exible layouts and specialized robotics, end e ectors, and bagging systems are designed to minimize damage and reduce spillage. Whether your products are in cases, bags, trays, or individually wrapped, we provide tailored solutions that optimize production lines and support your continued growth.
Let us partner with you to transform your operations and enhance your bottom line.
CGI’S PRODUCTS
• Wheat
• Barley
• Oilseeds
• Feed grains
• Beans
• Peas
• Lentils
• Organic crop
PRECISION PROCESSES
CGI has developed a system designed to support farmers by strategically locating assets and joint ventures (JVs), including interior elevators, processing plants, agronomy centers, barge loading facilities, and highcapacity, state-of-the-art terminals.
This highly interconnected system operates seamlessly to ensure the locally grown produce from CGI’s farmers is safely delivered to the global marketplace.
As one of the country’s largest processors and exporters of pulses, the company has a robust network
of processing plants located throughout the Northern US.
Recently, CGI increased its processing capacity by 60 percent with the addition of a new high-tech facility in Plentywood, Montana (MT). This expansion has allowed the company to process over 100,000 metric tons of pulse crops annually.
CGI collaborates closely with over 150 local producers in Northeast MT and North Dakota to source dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas, thereby supporting local farming communities.
Notably, with decades of experience in trading and logistics, the company operates a network of elevators and processing facilities across the Northern US.
It provides reliable supply chain solutions to customers in over 80 countries by partnering with various transportation providers, including truck, rail, barge, and bulk vessel operators.
Moreover, the company maintains strong relationships with farmers, ensuring the delivery of safe and traceable products. This allows CGI to know the exact source of its products while prioritizing safety and integrity throughout the supply chain.
Distribution is a crucial area where CGI excels, delivering highquality grains, pulses, and oilseeds to customers around the globe. As an industry leader, the company consistently invests in the technology
and facilities necessary to succeed in a diverse and rapidly changing market.
The logistics team is dedicated to ensuring products are transported safely and promptly to their destinations, whether by truck, rail, barge, or vessel, both domestically and internationally.
EMPOWERING PRODUCERS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
To gain a competitive edge, CGI has made an advantageous move in developing Columbia Grain Producer Solutions.
This visionary platform is at the forefront of agricultural innovation, delivering sophisticated and tailored marketing insights as well as invaluable educational resources, unlocking a wealth of growth opportunities for CGI’s producers.
It features state-of-the-art pricing tools meticulously designed to
optimize returns both now and in the future, prioritizing connectivity and reliability and building strong, trusted relationships with each farmer it serves.
The goal is to empower producers, enabling them to maintain an upper hand in an ever-evolving market landscape.
Through personalized marketing products and comprehensive risk management consulting, CGI addresses the specific challenges faced by each producer, equipping them to flourish amid the dynamic shifts of the agricultural environment. With a storied legacy grounded in exceptional consistency, unmatched quality, and unwavering reliability, the company strives to enrich the food supply chain in the Northern US. Its mission is clear – to ensure these highquality agricultural products reach those who need them most.
With Experience Comes Knowledge
Owned by brothers Curt and Tracy Bjerke since 1990, we have over 90 combined years of experience in sales, service, and installation of grain, bean and seed cleaning processing equipment.
Bjerke Brothers offers full design and build of bean and seed cleaning plants.
Sales, Parts and Service for
• Q-Sage Manufacturing
• LMC Lewis M Carter Manufacturing
• Oliver Manufacturing
• Forsberg Manufacturing
• Carter Day Manufacturing
• Sun Magnetics Inc.
Parts and Service for:
• Crippen, Ideal and Northland Superior Equipment
Call us: 701-847-3125 Visit our website at: www.bjerkebrothersinc.com Email Tracy Bjerke at: tbjerke@bjerkebrothersinc.com.
Further defined by fostering growth and connection within every community it engages with, and acting as the vital link between producers and consumers, the company is backed by over 40 years of industry experience.
Indeed, farmer partnerships are crucial for meeting customer crop demands as they strive to provide superior food products for consumers worldwide.
CGI takes pride in offering trusted solutions that embody a farm-totable philosophy, nourishing the world safely and enriching lives at every stage of the supply chain.
FARMERS OF THE FUTURE
At CGI, the team works daily to elevate its supply chain to become a value chain, treating each member of the global community with integrity, care, trust, and honesty.
Supporting innovation, the company remains connected because success helps ensure the world has proper nutrition to live life fully by providing its bulk pulses to developing countries and working with food banks.
As a company that believes in nurturing the growth of its local communities and supporting youth through sponsorship opportunities, including high schools and non-profit organizations such as Future Farmers of America (FFA), CGI is honored to contribute.
Founded in 1928, FFA empowers the next generation to meet challenges in agriculture, focusing on developing leadership skills and various career pathways as well as expertise in business, technology, and science.
Meanwhile, CGI is a majority owner of Montana Specialty Mills, which operates an organic and
non-genetically modified organism oilseed crushing facility in Great Falls, a mustard seed facility in Conrad, and Montana Craft Malt in Butte.
CGI continues to explore opportunities to partner with agricultural businesses that align with its values and goals of cultivating growth.
This strategic approach exemplifies how CGI is paving the way for future advancements and responsible practices while remaining committed to its mission of connecting high-quality, sustainably sourced products with consumers worldwide.
Epitomizing the fusion of quality, sustainability, and innovation within the agricultural sector, CGI is ensuring a resilient and thriving agricultural ecosystem for generations to come.