A Legacy of Nutrition Innovation
With 80 years of experience in animal nutrition, Munson Lakes Nutrition (MLN) offers dairies and other livestock producers efficient, high-volume feed processing capabilities and a team of trained nutritionists to help achieve your profitability goals.
Our Commitment to Quality
Quality Assurance
Munson Lakes Nutrition is HACCP Certified and holds the most advanced FDA drug license. Since its inception, we have earned the Land O’Lakes “Dedication to Quality” award every year.
Delivery Excellence
Our experienced and friendly drivers ensure prompt and accurate delivery to MLN customers throughout central Minnesota.
Expert Nutritionists
Our professional staff uses the latest technology to tackle tough nutritional issues. Services include on-site troubleshooting by a Ph.D. nutritionist.
Core Values
We provide forward-thinking solutions while maintaining the core values of quality, reliability, and innovation that have shaped our heritage.
Our History
Although we manufacture feed for all livestock, Munson Lakes Nutrition began in the poultry business. We now serve over 60,000 lactating cows, with over 60% of our business in the dairy and beef industry.
The Founding Era
1930
Ray E. Munson founded Munson Feed Company on a small farm near Glenwood, MN. The first sale of mineral feed sparked Ray’s interest in balanced feeding for livestock and poultry.
1935
Ray moved his family to Dassel, where, in March, the first bag of Munson’s Quality Feed was manufactured by hand in a barrel mixer. Later that year, the family relocated to Howard Lake and sold 314 bags of feed, prompting an investment in a larger mixer.
1945
By the end of the company’s first decade, sales had surged to 61,000 bags. The company established its base in a cement block building on the current feed mill site.
Growth and Expansion
1950
Munson Feed Company acquired an 80-acre research farm to test new feeding developments for livestock and poultry.
1957
Introduced a bulk delivery auger, transitioning from bagged to bulk feeds, which doubled the company’s sales volume in just two years.
1981
Constructed a state-of-the-art computerized mill, advancing the company’s production capabilities.
1985
Celebrated 50 years of operation with a strong reputation for quality feed products.
Modernization and Ownership
1996
The Munson family sold its interest in the feed company to Land O’Lakes, which in turn sold 30% to local farmer cooperatives.
Today
Ray Munson (Floyd’s son) and Eric Munson (Bob’s son) continue to work for the company, now known as Munson Lakes Nutrition. The company is owned by Purina, Land O’Lakes, Federated Cooperatives, Glencoe Coop, and Centra Sota Cooperative. A Board of Directors governs it and has a cooperative structure.