G & R Grain changes hands

A lifeline came for G & R Grain and Feed, just in the nick of time. Local producers Lynn Homelvig, son Ryan and grandson Dylan Rosso purchased the feed mill operation effective Oct. 1.

As livestock producers, they began looking for other places in the area to get feed after Chet Pollert made the announcement that he would retire. What they found was that without G & R Grain and Feed, there was a big gap in service in Eddy County.

"It's not good to lose competition," Lynn surmised.

The Homelvigs had been approached by Pollert about buying the business nearly two years ago, and at the time Lynn said they hoped someone else would take over the operation. After all, G & R was an important source of livestock feed for their own ranch.

When other deals fell through, and the risk that the business would close was imminent, they decided to take action. Lynn says they are committed to making it work now, and they have good people in place.

"It's important to the community to keep it going," Homelvig said.

G & R Grain and Feed offers custom mixed livestock feed, minerals, cat and dog food, net wrap and twine, salt, and water softener. The possibility that fertilizer will remain part of the product mix is still under discussion and pending agreement.

Ron Dockter of New Rockford will serve as the manager of the facility, coordinating the schedule, ordering supplies and focusing on customer service. He began his tenure in the feed mill about 19 years ago. He has also fulfilled orders for and spread fertilizer during his time there. James Williams will be at work in the feed mill, accompanied by Wayne Eldredge. Deliveries will be Eldredge's priority.

The Homelvigs' goal is to continue to offer the service that the community has grown to expect from a local company. The floor will be restocked with the same product lines that G & R has carried in the past.

"We should be able to carry out custom pelleting and grinding as we did before," Dockter said. He is the only one of Pollert's staff who will remain with the operation through the transition. G & R Grain and Feed purchases grains, peas and other crops for use in custom feed.

Farmers also bring in their own grain and screenings for use in feed. G & R then adds minerals and other supplements to mix a custom ration for the farmers' animals. Custom processing will be available as the schedule allows, Dockter noted, as they work to get back on track after winding down over the past couple of months.

"Having Ronnie on board is invaluable," said Ryan.

The Homelvigs will not be directly involved with much of the day-to-day operations. Rosso will handle the financial matters and bookkeeping.

The transaction was helped along by New Rockford Area Betterment Corporation. The Homelvigs received FlexPACE funds, a loan program in which the local economic development organization participates with the Bank of North Dakota to buy down the interest to 1%. This public-private partnership makes business ventures more cost-effective for buyers and allows small communities to attract and retain businesses.

"NRABC is thrilled to support a local family and business who is moving forward to keep another local business alive and thriving, NRABC Interim Director Sarah Smith Warren said Wednesday.