From Field to Feeder: The Story Behind Standlee and Our Premium Forage

June 25, 2025

In the early 1980s, in the heart of southern Idaho’s ag country, a young farmer named Mike Standlee had a vision. He saw a need for something better, more consistent and dependable forage that delivered reliable nutrition no matter the time of year or region of the country. With just $900, a strong back, and a passion for farming, he set out to build something that didn’t yet exist.

It's a balancing act. Everybody's going to have a few failures, but you know, we're going to have several successes along with it. The biggest key to success is just get started.

Mike Standlee

Mike didn’t grow up thinking he’d develop one of the country’s most recognizable forage brands. He grew up in the hay fields, learning the value of hard work, consistency, and stewardship of the land. When he started Standlee, his goal wasn’t just to sell hay - it was to provide the best hay, grown with care, harvested at peak nutrition, and delivered consistently to customers across the U.S.

It's hard to take $900 and grow a company into what Standlee is today and stay ahead of all the challenges, but we've been able to do it and it's exciting. I couldn't have done it without great people.”

Mike Standlee

What started as a one-man operation in rural Idaho has grown into a vertically integrated business that manages every step of the forage process - from seed selection to harvest, packaging to shipping. Standlee controls every aspect of the process to ensure a consistent forage supply year-round, regardless of weather, region, or market volatility. That means no guesswork and no surprises - just American-grown forage you can count on, every time.

Today, Standlee products are available in major retailers and shipped across the country, but the heart of the operation remains the same: quality you can trust, from people who care.

What Sets Standlee Apart: More Than Just Horse Hay

At Standlee, hay isn’t just hay - it’s nutrition, fuel, and a promise. Our commitment to high quality hay for horses and livestock begins with the land, where we carefully select premium soil and ideal growing conditions in the Western U.S. It continues through a precise harvest and sun-curing process designed to naturally preserve the hay’s nutritional integrity.

Every bale, cube, and pellet is carefully tested to ensure quality and consistent nutrition, setting Standlee apart as a trusted source for performance horses, senior companions, and animals with special dietary needs — including those with metabolic conditions. Because local hay can vary widely due to region, harvest, and storage, Standlee takes extra care to source intentionally, label clearly, and test regularly. This commitment ensures that, whether you need low-sugar options or forage specially formulated to support gastric and digestive health, you’re feeding your animals with confidence in every bite.

A Legacy Fueled by Passion

More than four decades later, the mission here at Standlee is still the same: to provide the highest quality forage for horses and livestock, backed by the integrity of a family-owned hay company that started with a single idea and a whole lot of heart.

While Mike Standlee remains closely involved, the next generation has stepped up to carry the vision forward. His son, Dusty Standlee, now serves as CEO - someone who grew up in the hay fields, running the swather and learning the business as Standlee itself was growing. That lived experience, from childhood summers in the field to leading the company today, is a true reflection of who we are - a family business that grew from humble beginnings and remains grounded in the same values that shaped it from the start.

Whatever you do, whatever industry you choose to get in. You gotta make dang sure you love it. And you gotta make sure you’re so passionate about it you cannot sleep.”

Mike Standlee

Standlee has become a trusted name for animal owners across the country. With a reputation for consistent forage supply, high nutritional standards, and a dedication to quality that runs deeper than the roots of our alfalfa fields - it’s more than just hay. It’s horse hay you can trust.

Beyond The Barn Podcast

For a more in-depth look into Mike's journey and the company's history, listen to Episode 11 of the "Beyond the Barn" podcast: Ep. 011: How Challenges, Failures and Family Made a Hay Business with Mike Standlee.

To hear more about Dusty’s experiences growing up within the Standlee hay operation, listen to Episode 13 of the "Beyond the Barn" podcast: Ep. 013: Why Willingness to Learn and Taking Action Matters with Dusty Standlee.