Countryside Feed L.L.C. and Midwest Ag Service L.L.C. will merge operations and begin serving customers as one company, effective November 1. The newly combined company will operate as Countryside Feed L.L.C. from its headquarters in Seneca, Kansas.
Initial merger discussions between the two feed companies began in November 2017, with the respective boards unanimously approving an agreement to a merger. David Rethman, chief operating officer of Midwest Ag Service, will be CEO of the combined companies.
“Both companies have been experiencing strong growth and profitability and we look forward to leveraging our companies’ resources and talents to enhance our already unique offers to livestock producers,” Rethman said. “This merger is a gateway to a strong future and continued growth, and the combined companies will provide an even greater network of nutritional, consulting and technical support to our customers.”
The combined service area includes a majority of Kansas and parts of Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Colorado. Manufacturing facilities will remain at Seneca, Hillsboro and Moundridge, Kansas, and includes a large dealership network and customer-direct nutritional products. Midwest Ag Service will continue as a branded product line of the company. Additionally, branded product lines include Countryside Feed, Purina and Provimi, as well as custom product options tailored to the producer’s needs.
Nine sales nutritionists will continue to work across the company’s footprint. More than 55 employees will be based out of Seneca, Hillboro and Moundridge. Members of Countryside Feed will include Cooperative Grain and Supply (Hillsboro, Kansas), MKC (Moundridge, Kansas), Ag Partners Co-op (Seneca, Kansas), Farmers Cooperative Elevator Co. (Halstead, Kansas), Kanza Cooperative (Iuka, Kansas), Agri Trails Coop (Hope, Kansas), and Purina Animal Nutrition.
Rethman believes the history of both companies provides a strong foundation for the future.
“We will continue to deliver value to our customers through the expanded and aligned resources and will continue to evaluate new locations, products and services we can bring to livestock producers.”
