Ralco announced Aug. 27 that it has agreed to purchase the McLaughlin estate near Marshall, Minn., to further expand research and development efforts to meet growing producer demand for the company's products.

Ralco has been using natural approaches to improve nutrient conversion and reduce waste in plants and animals since 1971.

“Ralco has several state-of-the-art research facilities across species between Balaton [Minn.] and Marshall,” Ralco vice president of corporate technology Diane Wagner said. “When Ralco’s corporate offices consolidated and expanded in Marshall three years ago, we began to look for a way to expand our research facilities as well.”

The McLaughlin estate is located less than two miles from Ralco’s global headquarters and consists of 13.6 acres, a home, three machine sheds, four small grain bins and approximately seven acres of tillable land. The land adjacent to the McLaughlin estate will continue to serve as research and educational plots.

Ralco president and chief executive officer Brian Knochenmus said, “Ralco’s intention with the new space is to further perfect our natural approaches for producers. We say ‘perfect’ at Ralco because we’re never truly satisfied; there’s always more to learn and develop for our customers, and we needed more space to do that. The McLaughlin estate was the perfect opportunity.”

Ralco’s research team will oversee research trials across multiple species at the new site. The first research plans will focus on product innovation and environmental stewardship practices for producers, the company noted.

“The McLaughlin estate also provides an opportunity for producers to learn more about natural approaches to fight nutrient waste,” Knochenmus said. “This company was founded nearly 50 years ago on innovation that helps producers grow more efficient plants and animals. Now, it’s time to ring in the next 50 years of innovation with a place our customers can see how we do it.”

The naming and commissioning of the farm is set to occur on Ralco’s 50th anniversary next spring.

Ralco -- a third-generation, family-owned, multinational company -- is a leading global provider of natural solutions to maximize nutrient conversion in plants and animals, with distribution in more than 40 countries.