History of Nutrena^®

 

 

Beginning...

• 1921            Miller-McConnell Grain Company established in Kansas City, KS. 
• 1922            Nutrena is granted a patent by the US Patent Office.
• 1925            Nutrena introduces the first colored bag into the feed industry.
• 1926            Nutrena is the first feed company to introduce cod liver oil, rich in vitamins A&D in their feed. 
• 1929            Nutrena introduces the first pellet mill. 

Expanding...

• 1945            Cargill buys Nutrena’s stock, doubling the size of Cargill’s feed business.
• 1949            Nutrena introduces Animal Protein Factor (APF) and vitamin B12 to poultry and swine feeds.
• 1950’s          Nutrena continues to expand, purchasing Royal Feed and Milling Company as well as the Giddings, TX plant from Fairmont Foods. 
• 1957            The research farm is established in Elk River, MN.
• 1965            Cargill purchases Pillsbury’s feed division.  Nutrena’s brand begins to appear as Cargill Nutrena.
• 1969            The Quaker Oats plant is purchased and rebuilt to Nutrena specifications.  Additional acquisitions bring the number of mills to 31. 
• 1974            Nutrena expands to Canada with the acquisition of National Grain facilities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
• 1975-78        Nutrena replaces 3 feed mills with the most modern plants in the industry. 
• 1980s           Nutrena expands to the East with the acquisition of Young’s Premix in Pennsylvania, and to the West with Stockton Hay and Grain in California.

Creating...

• 2000            Nutrena establishes itself as a stand-alone brand focused on the ag-retail market segment.  Takes on the identity & logo that we know today. 
• 2001            Cargill acquires Agribrands Intl., adding two complete research facilities as well as additional production facilities in 26 countries around the globe.  Nutrena’s foundation of experts and technology expand accordingly.
• 2001            Nutrena begins a relationship with the American Quarter Horse Association – the world’s largest horse breed association.

Innovating...

• 2002            Introduction of new extrusion technology allows production of Nutrena’s Empower^® – a new high fat rice bran equine supplement—to the industry. 
• 2004            Nutrena launches XTN™, a new generation equine formula specially designed to deliver higher levels of performance and to minimize the negative effects of stress from rigorous training and competition.
• 2005            Nutrena launches SafeChoice™, a controlled starch formula, scientifically balanced for horses in all life stages—and carefully designed for simplified feeding, added safety and superior nutrition.
• 2006            Nutrena introduces LiteBalance™ Premium Horse Feed, a unique controlled-calorie formula, specially designed for overweight horses, easy keepers and horses on all-forage diets.
• 2006            Cargill Animal Nutrition Innovation Center increases research efforts in equine, pet food, and aquaculture.
• 2007            Nutrena launches Vitality^®, scientifically designed with Smart Grain Technology™—a revolutionary breakthrough in grain-based nutrition that delivers superior performance and a welcome margin of safety
• 2007            Nutrena introduces Loyall^TM - A new line of premium dog and cat food, available exclusively at ag-retail outlets.
• 2008            Nutrena introduces EnergX™ Enriched Formula and EnergX™ Oat Replacer, two revolutionary new products that utilize proprietary corn-based ingredient technology to bring controlled-starch equine diets to a whole new level.