Ohio Department of Agriculture suspends United Equity grain handling operations

REYNOLDSBURG — The Ohio Department of Agriculture has suspended grain handling operations at United Equity, Inc., a Delphos-based agricultural cooperative with a grain facility serving the Celina and Neptune area.

The suspension followed a department audit that confirmed a financial shortfall. ODA says United Equity’s grain handler’s license was suspended to prevent the company from accumulating additional outstanding obligations and to allow the state to pursue a possible remedy through Ohio’s Grain Indemnity Fund.

United Equity is headquartered at 104 South Main Street in Delphos. ODA identified branch locations in Spencerville and Celina. United Equity’s own website identifies its Mercer County grain facility as the Neptune location at 8731 State Route 197, Celina, near the intersection of State Routes 197 and 33. The company says that facility handles wheat, corn and soybeans and also provides custom livestock-feed grinding.

The Grain Indemnity Fund was created in 1983 to reimburse farmers when a licensed grain handler becomes insolvent. Claims are handled through ODA’s Grain, Feed and Seed Section with recommendations from the Ohio Commodity Advisory Commission.

ODA also says Ohio law creates an automatic lien for the benefit of farmers when a grain handler fails or becomes insolvent. The department’s lien receives priority over competing lien claims, which is intended to maximize reimbursement to the indemnity fund during the liquidation of assets.

Farmers who believe United Equity has outstanding grain obligations to them or who have questions about the claims process should contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture at 614-728-6410.

ODA’s announcement did not specify the size of the financial shortfall or how many farmers may be affected.