Feed mill in Killam reaches half-century mark in 2015; still going strong
When Brent and Leanne Gaume celebrated their 10th anniversary of owning and operating the feed mill in Killam as Killam Feed and Farm, they didn’t realize that the feed mill itself opened 50 years ago, on Nov. 27, 1965.
The feed mill, which is essentially a rolling mill, cracks, or processes, grains so that cattle can digest the nutrients within.
The plant was built by Ellis Construction, in Red Deer, and at the time, the mill was considered one of the finest in the country.
The first board of directors for the mill was Henry Kelndorfer, president; Bill George, secretary; Bill Larson, Vern Kelndorfer, and Ed Blaeser.
“They will come and take samples for quality control,” Leanne says.
Each feed order that the mill processes has its own recipe, that might be a straight mix of half oats, and half barley, but can also include liquid supplement (molasses), minerals, and supplements to aid in digestive health, or to provide vital vitamins and minerals.
“Most cattle breeders have their own formulas or recipes,” says Brent. He keeps up on what’s new in the feed and supplement industry, and makes suggestions, too.
The Gaumes purchase locally grown, good, heavy, quality grain, and their customers have the option of purchasing from them, or bringing in their own grain to be rolled into feed.
For many feed mill clients, it’s very important to them to be able to bring their own product to be turned into feed, because they want to control what’s going into their animals.
Gaumes are also seeding 1,200 acres of custom corn this year.
Gaumes partner with Hi-Pro Feeds and Masterfeeds, for the bulk of their mineral supplements.
“We talk to our customers to find out what they are feeding, so we know what to carry,” Gaume says.
They can also have Hi-Pro test a sample of any feed to determine its nutrional value.
He says most feed lots and big farms have their own feed rollers, “We serve the smaller farmers.”
Trucks come in and unload on one side of the building, and get loaded on the other, usually the same day if a customer is bringing his grain in to be rolled.
Brent says they can roll 1,000 pounds in 10 to 15 minutes, including adding any mineral or supplements that customer wants included.
The Feed Mill doesn’t just cater to cattle, however, and have customers who raise horses, sheep, chickens, turkeys, and pigs; they also carry dog, cat, rabbit, and even bird food.
Brent says more and more of the feed mills in Alberta are disappearing, and that he serves clients from Stettler to north of Vermilion, including Ryley, Holden, Camrose, New Norway, even the University of Alberta ranch in Kinsella.
They also sell feed to many 4-H Beef clubs or individual members, both in the Flagstaff area, and as far away as Irma, Wainwright, Donalda, and Bruce.
Brent heads out for deliveries often, too, whether he is driving the liquid supplement truck, to refill farmers’ tanks, or their four-compartment feed truck that allows him to deliver custom orders to different clients.
The Gaumes say the rollers have to be serviced about every five years, to be reproved.
The couple tries to also carry products that complement the feed business, like bulk minerals, panels and windbreaks, bale feeders, even calving supplies, ear tags, electric fencers and drugs, which require a licence, and re-testing every five years.
Just as it did 50 years ago, the Feed Mill is still drawing people to deal in Killam.
Leslie Cholowsky
Editor
(published in the December 21, 2015 edition of The Community Press)
