Bartlett's Liquid Plant gets Automation Upgrade

Bartlett's Liquid Plant gets Automation Upgrade

Bartlett, NE (June 2, 2025) –  In mid-April, the Bartlett location went live with a fully automated upgrade to its existing liquid fertilizer plant, a major leap forward in how we manage blending, loading, and product delivery. The new plumbing and control system, installed in partnership with Easy Automation Inc. (EAI), brings faster loadouts, more precise blends, and improved data capture to an already well-established facility.

“This system is pretty slick,” said Mitch Race, Bartlett’s location manager. “It took a lot of effort from the team to get everything installed and the bugs worked out, but it’s running well now.”

The system enables real-time blending, hot-loading of chemicals for sprayers, and significantly faster truck turnaround. It’s also more accurate and traceable, setting a new standard for how we operate. As part of the upgrade, Bartlett transitioned from soluble potassium chloride (KCL) to potassium thiosulfate (KTS), improving blend quality and speed, two key advantages heading into a demanding season.

Following a recent site visit, EAI shared that the culture at Country Partners stood out to them. In a note from owner Brady Gaalswyk, he highlighted how the team’s sense of appreciation and professionalism made a positive impression:

“There’s something different about Country Partners. Teams that feel appreciated tend to reflect that in how they treat one another, and in how they work with partners. That mindset makes for a stronger, more effective collaboration.”

While automation has brought new horsepower to Bartlett’s operations, it’s the people who make it work. Mitch and his crew continue to lead by example, and with support from vendors like EAI, this upgrade positions us well for continued success.