AWARDS
Agribusiness of the Year
Stillwater Milling Company
48
COMMERCE | 2023 Profile Magazine of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce
Stillwater Milling Company was originally founded in 1891 , as the Thomas and Plummer Perfection Mills . In 1906 , Stillwater Milling Company was incorporated by the Babcock family to produce flour under the name “ Stillwater ’ s Best Flour .” In 1918 , Andy Goodholm purchased the company and added a line of home flour called “ Good Home Flour .” They began to manufacture feeds for livestock and poultry in 1922 , while the company continued to develop the flour business until the mid-1950 ’ s . Stillwater Milling Company branded its livestock feed as A & M Feeds ; named after Andy , and his wife , Mandy , Goodholm . The feed business continued to grow through the years because of the large agricultural population in North Central Oklahoma .
Haskell Cudd began working for Stillwater Milling Company as a bookkeeper in August 1933 . Cudd , Paul Wise , and James Berry purchased Stillwater Mill in 1933 . The Berry family sold their interest in the company after James ’ death in the late 1960s . Mr . Cudd bought controlling interest of the company at age 64 in about 1971 . His work ethic followed him through his 74 years with the company . He stepped down as President and CEO , February 2006 , at age 98 . In 2010 , the Wise family bought most of the Cudd family shares and now have controlling interest in Stillwater Mill . The remainder of the mill ’ s shares are owned by current and former employees .
Stillwater Milling Company has continuously increased the manufacturing capacity and efficiency of the mill . They were the first computerized feed mill in the state of Oklahoma and the largest independently owned feed mill in the state . All the feed manufacturing is done in Stillwater . They can manufacture about 1400 tons of feed a day . That is enough to fill 60 semi-trucks . About 90 % of feed manufactured is beef cattle feed . They also manufacture feed for dairy cows , horses , pigs , sheep , goats , chickens , quail , rabbits , and deer .
Stillwater Milling Company direct markets A & M Livestock Feeds to farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma , Texas , Kansas and Arkansas and supplies feed to 125 dealer locations . In 1938 Stillwater Milling Company established a branch operation in Perry , OK . In 1970 , a branch was added in Davis , OK followed by the Claremore Branch in the mid 1970s . In August of 1975 a large general farm store , The Agri-Center , was established in Stillwater . This concept was later added at the other 3 locations . The stores handled A & M feeds as well as other products for farming operations such as fencing , livestock equipment and animal health supplies . The four stores have been expanded since that time into AgriCenters adding a variety of products for the home as well as the farm . In October 2017 , a new larger store was built in Stillwater facing 6th Street . The old store was converted into much needed warehouse space including a drive-thru pick up . Stillwater Milling Company will always be a place where your business is appreciated .
Stillwater Milling Company currently has about 165 employees . A total of 85 full and part time employees are employed in Stillwater . At the end of March 2022 , they had two employees retire — one that had worked there 56 years and one for 52 years . There are currently 2 employees that have worked there over 50 years , 4 between 40 and 50 years , 7 between 30 and 40 years , 11 between 20 and 30 years and 8 between 15 and 20 years — for a total of 32 employees with 15 or more years with the company .