Getting to Know Animal Nutrition at Key
Sep 15, 2025
Cameron Hiemstra, Feed Sales Intern
Kelcie Carpenter, Gilbert Feed Sales
DID YOU KNOW KEY COOPERATIVE has two feed mill facilities to serve members all over central Iowa?
The Gilbert Feed Mill is a cornerstone of livestock nutrition and community support. Constructed in 1977 and located just north of Ames, the mill plays a crucial role in delivering consistent, high-quality feed solutions to producers of all sizes—from large-scale livestock operations to backyard hobbyists and youth exhibitors. The facility specializes in custom bulk and bagged feed formulations for beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats and poultry. Our feed is backed by trusted nutrition partners like Purina® and Quality Liquid Feeds® (QLF). Whether you’re preparing cattle for the show ring or finishing hogs for market, the Gilbert team works closely with producers like you to develop targeted rations that support animal performance and health.
What sets the Gilbert mill apart from others in the area is its ability to craft fully customized rations that are tailored to the exact nutritional needs of each operation. With onsite capabilities for both bulk mixing and bagging, the mill provides flexible solutions without compromising on consistency or quality. In addition to custom mixes, the mill stocks a wide selection of bagged Purina feeds, giving customers access to research-backed nutrition that performs in the barn and the ring.
Key’s Grinnell Feed Mill was built in 1969 by Golden Sun Feeds®. This concrete structure is now over 50 years old but remains in very good condition. Sully Cooperative bought this mill in 2004 and renovated it to economically produce high volumes of feed. (In 2008, Sully merged with the Heart of Iowa Cooperative to create Key Cooperative). Over time, additional equipment has been added to further increase mixing, receiving ingredients and processing corn. Pelleting equipment was purchased to provide pelleted feed for large swine operations. Over the past few years, more emphasis has been placed on serving our local member-owners. An additional mixing system, including bagging, was added a few years ago to produce texturized feed. Since then, a pelleter has also been added to manufacture pelleted products for beef, sheep and goat operations. Like the Gilbert mill, Purina supplements are used in Grinnell to fortify rations.
The Grinnell Feed Mill also provides a corn market for our member grain producers. Soybean meal and DDGS are two ingredients that are produced in our geographic area and provide more demand for locally raised corn and soybeans. With the combination of dependable feed production, personalized service and strong community ties in both Gilbert and Grinnell, the Key Cooperative Feed Division is more than a feed supplier—it’s a trusted partner in livestock nutrition and rural success!
Kelcie Carpenter, Gilbert Feed Sales
DID YOU KNOW KEY COOPERATIVE has two feed mill facilities to serve members all over central Iowa?
The Gilbert Feed Mill is a cornerstone of livestock nutrition and community support. Constructed in 1977 and located just north of Ames, the mill plays a crucial role in delivering consistent, high-quality feed solutions to producers of all sizes—from large-scale livestock operations to backyard hobbyists and youth exhibitors. The facility specializes in custom bulk and bagged feed formulations for beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats and poultry. Our feed is backed by trusted nutrition partners like Purina® and Quality Liquid Feeds® (QLF). Whether you’re preparing cattle for the show ring or finishing hogs for market, the Gilbert team works closely with producers like you to develop targeted rations that support animal performance and health.
What sets the Gilbert mill apart from others in the area is its ability to craft fully customized rations that are tailored to the exact nutritional needs of each operation. With onsite capabilities for both bulk mixing and bagging, the mill provides flexible solutions without compromising on consistency or quality. In addition to custom mixes, the mill stocks a wide selection of bagged Purina feeds, giving customers access to research-backed nutrition that performs in the barn and the ring.
Key’s Grinnell Feed Mill was built in 1969 by Golden Sun Feeds®. This concrete structure is now over 50 years old but remains in very good condition. Sully Cooperative bought this mill in 2004 and renovated it to economically produce high volumes of feed. (In 2008, Sully merged with the Heart of Iowa Cooperative to create Key Cooperative). Over time, additional equipment has been added to further increase mixing, receiving ingredients and processing corn. Pelleting equipment was purchased to provide pelleted feed for large swine operations. Over the past few years, more emphasis has been placed on serving our local member-owners. An additional mixing system, including bagging, was added a few years ago to produce texturized feed. Since then, a pelleter has also been added to manufacture pelleted products for beef, sheep and goat operations. Like the Gilbert mill, Purina supplements are used in Grinnell to fortify rations.
The Grinnell Feed Mill also provides a corn market for our member grain producers. Soybean meal and DDGS are two ingredients that are produced in our geographic area and provide more demand for locally raised corn and soybeans. With the combination of dependable feed production, personalized service and strong community ties in both Gilbert and Grinnell, the Key Cooperative Feed Division is more than a feed supplier—it’s a trusted partner in livestock nutrition and rural success!