The Killduff Feed and Grain team includes: From left, Spencer Udelhoven, owners Donnie and Sharri Huyser, new manager Ben Frahm, Jeremy Flores, Blaize Kuhlmann, and John Dodge. Frahm replaces David Samson, Jr. as manager, and he will start at the family-owned business on Jan. 9.
A new name and face with the same agricultural knowledge customers have come to rely on will soon be managing the day-to-day operations at Killduff Feed and Grain, a family-owned business located in the heart of Killduff for over 100 years.
Killduff Feed and Grain owners Donnie and Sharri Huyser are excited to announce they have hired Ben Frahm as the new manager. Frahm, who is also a farmer, will bring with him 15 years experience working in the agricultural industry when he takes over the managerial duties of Killduff Feed and Grain on Jan. 9. Frahm graduated from Newton High School and received his associate’s degree in crop production from Kirkwood Community College. In addition to farming with his father, he has worked the last 15 years in ag retail, spending time as a custom applicator and the last two years in facility operations. Frahm and his wife of 11 years live on the family farm north of Newton with their three children. In addition to his new role as manager, Frahm raises sheep and a small herd of cattle.
Frahm takes over the managerial duties from David Samson, Jr., whom the Huysers and Killduff Feed and Grain team wish well in his new endeavor. During the transition between managers, Don, Sharri, their sons-in-law Jeremy Flores and Spencer Udelhoven, and Killduff Feed and Grain’s feed delivery driver and custom feed operator Blaize Kuhlmann will continue to serve customers with the same quality product and service they are accustomed to. Retired truck driver John Dodge is also back on staff helping with day-to-day business until Frahm is on-site full time.
Killduff Feed and Grain is looking forward to Frahm’s arrival in early 2023 and to continue serving the ag community. In addition to selling what many in the industry consider the “cadillac” of custom-mix Kent feed for cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, rabbits, emus, and chickens, Killduff Feed and Grain is also a source for all types of high-quality cat and dog food. Flores, who is spending more time in the office during the transition period, said a big part of the family-owned company’s sales revolves around cattle. Calf creep is a well-known product in the livestock industry that attracts customers with its high quality and results. In addition to delivering bulk orders of the feed, Killduff Feed and Grain also bags small batches of custom feed for customers. Current customers can rest easy knowing their feed rations and feed recipes are saved within a program that breaks down the nutritional value of the feed ratio. During the time of managerial transition, there will be no interruption of communication or services for current and future customers.
Killduff Feed and Grain is not only welcoming a new employee, it is also expanding. The recent acquisition of the neighboring building that formerly housed Cross and Sons will be used for inventory. Improvements, expansion, and now a new manager joining an already-strong team will ensure Killduff Feed and Grain is equipped to serve the agricultural community and its loyal customers for another 100 years.
