Skyland Grain LLC and United Prairie Ag LLC (UPA) announced this week that they will merge on Sept. 1. The new company will operate as Skyland Grain.

“This proactive unification of two successful, financially strong, producer-focused companies will allow us to take advantage of opportunities to better serve our producers now and in the future,” the companies said.

Wade Tucker, board chairman for Skyland Co-op, believes that merging the two companies will help keep Skyland in a position to provide the assets and resources producers need.

“The merger of UPA into Skyland Grain is just another way we are connecting our producers to the service they deserve,” he said. “We are excited about the talented employees in each company working together to serve our producers and their needs.”

David Cron, current chief executive officer of Skyland Grain, will become CEO of the combined company. Skyland Grain will have its corporate office in Ulysses, Kan., with regional administrative offices in Johnson and Cunningham.

“I believe that this merger is happening at the right time,” Cropland Co-op board chairman Clifford Alexander said. “Both of these companies are good, financially strong institutions, making this a great opportunity for all of our producers.”

The new Skyland Grain will have more than 87 million bu. of storage capacity in 36 locations. Sales for the combined company will be in excess of $400 million. Skyland will employ 250 employees following the addition of UPA.