Purchase includes seven feed mills and portfolio of products and brands.

August 4, 2017

2 Min Read
Cargill to acquire Southern States animal feed business

Cargill announced Aug. 3 that it has reached an agreement to acquire the animal feed business of Richmond, Va.-based Southern States Cooperative Inc. — a move that will help the company better serve its customers in the eastern U.S.

The transaction is expected to close within 90 days, subject to customary approvals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Under the agreement, Cargill will purchase the assets of Southern States' animal feed business, including seven feed mills and an important portfolio of products, brands and customer and supplier relationships. The other segments of Southern States' business — retail, farm supply, energy and agronomy — are not part of this transaction.

This acquisition is an important part of Cargill Feed & Nutrition's growth strategy and its commitment to the U.S. animal feed industry, strengthening its distribution and go-to-market capabilities in the important Southeast, mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the U.S., the announcement said.

"Customers are at the heart of everything we do, and this agreement will allow us to better meet their needs in this key geography," said Adriano Marcon, vice president and group director, Cargill Animal Nutrition. "I'm especially enthused about this partnership because it is clear that we share common core values, including a positive work environment and a commitment to delivering for our customers."

"Southern States is excited to partner our feed manufacturing business with Cargill," Jeff Stroburg, president and chief executive officer of Southern States, added. "It's important to note that while Southern States will no longer be making feed, we are committed as ever to provide feed to our members and customers. We're excited about the opportunities this partnership will bring to all stakeholders as we work together to grow the feed business in our marketplace."

Upon closing this transaction, Cargill will integrate complementary capabilities, expand access to innovation platforms, align nutrition capabilities and incorporate a broad trading and risk management competency.

"Like Cargill, Southern States Cooperative has a rich history, important heritage and strong reputation," said Mark Lueking, U.S. managing director, Cargill Feed & Nutrition. "We are committed to working together to continue to meet the needs of the local business and communities it serves. We will honor that legacy and further build upon Southern States Cooperative's reputation in the market, commitment to quality and relationship with long-standing retail and customer networks."

For 150 years, Cargill has been providing food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services, with 150,000 employees in 70 countries.

Cargill's animal nutrition business offers a range of compound feed, premixes, feed additives, supply chain and risk management solutions, software tools and animal nutrition expertise.

Southern States Cooperative is a farm supply retailer and service cooperative that provides a range of farm inputs, including fertilizer, seed, livestock feed, pet food, animal health supplies and petroleum products. It is one of the nation's largest agricultural cooperatives, owned by more than 200,000 farmer-members.

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