At Standlee, we are committed to maintaining the peak health and performance of your animals throughout the year by delivering nutrition through our premium forage and animal care products. Since our establishment in 1981, Standlee has been dedicated to carefully growing and manufacturing sun-cured forage, which we believe is the perfect feeding solution for your animals. Standlee is Grown for the Life You Love®.
A timeline of the history of Standlee from the idea all the way to present day.
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Smart Nutrition plus Premium Forage
Experience a new level of equine health with Smart Carb and Forage Plus designed to meet your horse's unique needs. These two new lines are carefully crafted with the expertise of a renowned Ph.D. Equine Nutritionist who understands your horse's unique requirements.
Smart Carb is a specially formulated forage blend designed for horses requiring a low sugar and low starch diet. With Smart Carb, your horse will receive the ideal nutritional balance while minimizing sugar and starch intake.
Forage Plus is a cutting-edge forage blend that goes beyond basic nutrition to offer additional benefits customized to meet your horse's specific needs. Forage Plus is tailored to provide targeted support and optimize your horse's well-being.
Standlee announced an updated visual identity to their product packaging. The new modern design focuses on communicating nutritional wellness and product differentiation with timeless colors while highlighting the benefits of forage within an animal's diet.
The new color-coded design will allow for company and product growth while increasing awareness around the Standlee Brand.
New Packaging ToolTo elevate our production capabilities, Standlee doubled our capacity by adding a new bagger and pelleter to meet the growing demands of our valued customers.
Announced the promotion of Scott Plew to President. Plew will work closely with the CEO and Executive Committee, as he continues to oversee finance, marketing, sales, and procurement to pursue ambitious growth and innovation goals for the company. Plew joined Standlee in 2015 as the Executive Vice President, and partner.
Read Press ReleaseStandlee expands small animal line to include Small Animal treats to support Standlee Premium Hand-Selected Forage.
Two exciting flavors, AppleYums and BananaYums were introduced to cater to the discerning tastes of the small animals.
Due to labeling regulations in select states requiring products with more than one ingredient to not have a single ingredient name (i.e., Beet Pulp), we have changed only the name to “Smart Beet.” Everything else is the same, from the quality ingredients used, to the incredible benefits of adding beet pulp to horse and livestock feed programs.
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Hosted by equine nutritionist, Dr. Tania Cubitt, and marketing consultant and livestock owner, Katy Starr, episodes will feature breaking down misconceptions and offering tips for feeding and caring for horses, other livestock and small animals, as well as interviews with other qualified experts and individuals in the agricultural industry and Standlee Premium Western Forage.
New episodes are released bi-weekly on Tuesdays, and are available on Apple and Spotify platforms.
LISTEN TO PODCASTStandlee donates product to COVID-19 Impacted Animals in Texas.
In 2020, we launched a video that beautifully captures the essence of our commitment to the equine lifestyle. It's more than just a video; it's a tribute to the love we share for the life you adore. Experience the magic – Standlee is Grown For The Life You Love
In May 2018, Standlee launched Horse Pill Carriers® to help assist you with providing oral medications or supplements to your horse, pony or donkey. We are thrilled to bring you an easier solution for giving medication to your horse, through a nutritious treat forage-based treat.
Pill CarriersAt Standlee, we love animals, and we’ve been working hard to give them their best for over 30 years. We have added to our highest-quality forage product line, bringing your beloved animal family optimal nutritional elements to ensure a happy, healthy life. Our products make it easy to provide your small pet with wholesome flavor and optimum hygiene.
Try our Small Animal Forage
Why Standlee? Let the Research Show You
To show the benefit of feeding the highest quality forage or hay-based fiber source for your beloved equine and livestock partners, Standlee Premium Western Forage commissioned two studies through the Purina Animal Nutrition Center facility near St. Louis, MO. The studies focused on the metabolic response, palatability, and visual quality indicators of Alfalfa and Timothy Grass varieties.
Why Standlee
On October 26th, Standlee Hay Company attended the Idaho Statesman’s Top 100 Private Company luncheon and awards ceremony in Boise, Idaho. During the awards ceremony, Standlee was honored as the 52nd largest private company in Idaho and the highest newcomer to the list. Above, Dusty Standlee, CEO & President at Standlee Hay Company, accepts the highest newcomer award during the luncheon. Standlee is the only hay company and one of six agribusinesses in the state to make the 2016 list.
Standlee Premium Western Forage® introduces 2 new bedding solutions- Horse Fresh™ and Flock Fresh™. ‘We are really excited to offer these bedding products featuring all-natural Zeolite.” expressed Dusty Standlee, CEO/President at Standlee Hay Company. “Zeolite is essentially ancient Idahoan volcanic ash with an impressive ability to absorb both moisture and odor.” continued Standlee.
In 2016, Standlee elevated user experience by introducing substantial improvements to the Forage Finder and Feed Calculator tools. Simultaneously, a responsive website version with a user-friendly sidebar menu was launched, marking a pivotal moment in accessibility and convenience for our community. This digital revolution empowered users with enhanced tools and seamless navigation, redefining their forage and feed decision-making experience.
View ToolsDusty Standlee has become Chief Executive Officer and President.
Read More about Dusty in 2011.
Standlee also welcomes Scott Plew to the company as Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and minority owner. Scott will assume responsibility for the Finance, Marketing, Sales and Procurement functions at Standlee Hay Company.
Standlee Hay Company is promoting Bobby Delgado to Vice President of Standlee Hay Trucking. Mr. Delgado become minority owners of Standlee Hay Company.
Mike Standlee, Founder and CEO of Standlee Hay Company, will be stepping away from his daily responsibilities as CEO.
Mike continues to be an active participant on the Standlee Executive and Advisory boards, fulfill a leadership role on the Forage Innovation Committee and oversee special projects.
All leadership changes were effective on June 1, 2015.
Founder & Innovation Leader
CEO
CFO & Executive VP
Vice President, Standlee Hay Trucking
Launched on September 1, the new branding and other tools were designed to represent what the company has been delivering to discerning consumers throughout the US and the World, Premium Western Forage®.
To support the launch of this new name, Standlee refreshed its logo, packaging, and website.
Standlee equine nutritionist, Dr. Stephen Duren and Dr. Tania Cubitt have been pivotal in the growth of Standlee products and education on horse and other animal nutrition.
Dr. Duren’s experience with the "value" of high-quality forage in a feeding program made PHN and Standlee a natural fit.
Bringing you a premium partnership, since 2012.
Read more about our nutritionistsWe are pleased to announce that Mike Standlee, CEO, has appointed his son Dusty Standlee as the New President of Standlee Hay Company. Dusty is the third generation Standlee in the family hay business. Dusty started his career in the fields, working days and nights, he moved his way into plant operations, management and to Vice President. This experience from the fields to the corporate office has provided him the knowledge and experience needed to ensure the future successes of Standlee Hay Company.
Dusty's experience in the forage industry started at an early age with his grandfather, Gene Standlee, before joining his father, Mike Standlee, at Western Alfalfa Farms which later became Standlee Hay Company. He has worked in almost every facet of the company and took on an active management role in 2002.
Mike Standlee will remain CEO of Standlee Hay Company and will continue defining the company vision and direction for future growth.
To allow for expansion, Standlee Hay Company is pleased to announce the move of its Lexington Kentucky Distribution Center to a new larger facility. Our new location is 1124 Russell Cave Road, in Lexington Kentucky.
Standlee undertook a comprehensive packaging update. Our forage products were categorized by forage forms, streamlining the selection process for our customers. This strategic packaging transformation reflected our commitment to continuing to improve the experience of our customers with our premium forage products.
Standlee pioneered industry innovation with the invention of the Grab and Go compressed bale—the first of its kind. Featuring a handle and wrapped in plastic for convenience and cleanliness.
Read ArticleStandlee undertook its first major plant upgrade, introducing automation to redefine the production landscape.
Standlee began its relationship with Tractor Supply. This partnership has thrived over the years, symbolizing a shared commitment to quality forage products and a dedication to meeting the needs of customers through a trusted retail avenue.
Standlee introduced Jojo's Best, a specialized small animal line. Named after a member of the Standlee family, this line was the first step into small animal nutrition.
Standlee continued to expand with the acquisition of Blue Gulch. This acquisition included a significant addition to what was known as Rattlesnake.
Under Mike's leadership, a press was installed, marking the commencement of shipments to Asia for both dairy and equine markets.
The year 2003 marked a pivotal chapter in Standlee's history with the introduction of our first bagged product line.
Our reach expanded with the opening of the first Distribution Center in Lexington, KY. This year we also delivering hundreds of loads to CO, a key step in establishing Standlee as the go-to brand for premium forage products.
In a significant move to enhance logistics and meet the growing demand for quality forage, Standlee Hay Company invested in a robust fleet of trucks and trailers. This strategic expansion enables the efficient delivery of domestic products to feed stores and farms.
In a visionary move, Mike Standlee spearheaded the establishment of a state-of-the-art forage facility spanning 108,000 square feet. This cutting-edge facility, equipped with a big bale press, cuber, pelleter, bagger, and cottonseed piler, solidified our capacity for domestic supply.
From 1995 to 2000, our company forged ahead with strategic growth, acquiring and integrating farms into our expanding portfolio. This pivotal period laid the foundation for our commitment to agricultural excellence, setting the stage for a future defined by innovation and sustainable practices.
Mike and Whendy Standlee moved their family to the farm in Eden, while simultaneously, a strategic expansion unfolded with new office along the freeway, complemented by sheds and a maintenance shop enhancing operational efficiency.
Mike and his wife, Whendy, embarked on a visionary journey, actively cultivating markets on the east coast for high-quality dairy hay. Simultaneously, the duo continued their local hauling operations.
Mike Standlee made a historic move by acquiring his first 240-acre farm under Western Alfalfa Farms, a milestone captured in the annals of Standlee's growth.
In the years spanning from 1987 to 1989, Mike and Whendy took a significant step by moving to Highway 25 in Hazelton. This period marked the beginning of a transformative chapter as they established their first shed and shop, named Shed A. Positioned in Hazelton, Shed A became a central hub for storage, loading, and pressing.
In 1986, the Standlee’s continued to make waves in the forage industry, hauling and trading across the expanses of NV and ID. With a relentless commitment, Mike spent weeks on the road, often sleeping in his Ford pickup, passionately buying and selling forage to ranches in NV. The 3-Tie markets were growing, reflecting Standlee's dedication to meeting market demands and forging enduring connections in the industry.
Entering a phase of significant growth, Standlee expanded operations by initiating local hauling in Southern ID and reaching as far as WA. Simultaneously, Mike spearheaded the introduction of 3-tie hay, strategically marketing it back east.
While continuing to farm in Bruneau. Mike Standlee made a pivotal move by acquiring his first Peterbilt truck late in the year demonstrating a commitment to efficiency and progress.
In a strategic move towards expansion, Standlee forged a partnership with Lynn in January, embarking on a joint venture to farm 2000 acres in Bruneau, ID.
As Standlee continued to cultivate success in their expanding farms, they joyously embraced a new chapter in their family history with the birth of Dusty, our now CEO of Standlee.
Listen to Dusty’s StoryStandlee continued to cultivate their first farm in Hunt, ID while simultaneously venturing into custom hay operations in Mud Lake and Kilgore.
Listen to Mike’s StoryEmbarking on the journey that laid the groundwork for a legacy, the first generation of Standlee farmers took a momentous step by acquiring their first farm—an 80-acre expanse in Hunt, ID. This marked the dedicated commitment to agriculture, as the family tirelessly shuttled between the Hunt farm and Kilgore, engaging in custom hay endeavors with Whendy's siblings and Mike's brothers.
Provide Premium Forage, For a Premium Experience
Cultivate the connection between our customers and those they care for by providing value through support, education and premium products
Our commitment is to deliver a premium through our core values
We know that it takes talented, motivated people to make our company successful. If that’s you, please consider joining us!
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