Local Steve Kauffman grew up on a dairy farm. In fact, it’s the same dairy farm he still lives on today. As his family grew older, it became overwhelming for him and his wife to milk more than 70 cows without assistance. To continue making the best use of their land, a friend recommended they look into the business of supplying feed. With a fully stocked dairy farm already equipped to feed cows, the answer seemed obvious. To continue their support of the dairy industry, they decided that providing high-quality feed for local residents was the right path forward.
Luckily for Steve, his farm was already stocked with what he needed, including a grinder, forage and acreage. They began mixing feed and eventually landed on the right formula, and TMR Feed officially opened for business in 2024.
TMR Feed isn’t your average feed store. They produce high-quality feed in smaller quantities designed for homesteaders, farmettes or families with a single milking cow, rather than the larger dairy farms with entire herds to feed.
“TMR came to be because we know how to feed cows. It’s something we did for a long time. But, it wasn’t available to people with homesteads or farmettes. The only option was what they sell to dairy farms. You had to buy a big amount and use it fast or it would mold on you. At TMR Feed, we sell 100-pound bags, which can be used, re-closed and used again throughout the season to make it applicable for smaller homesteads,” says Kauffman.
The Kauffman farm was able to cut their herds and now utilizes the acreage to grow what they need for high-quality feed. TMR Feed offers a balanced diet for animals of all kinds, including dairy cows, beef cows, sheep, goats, red-tailed deer and pigs. It’s just the right amount for a small, family-sized farm.
Their feed is balanced for optimal nutrition, containing haylage, corn silage and ground corn all mixed evenly to provide the same nutritious bite every time.
“The fermented feed is easier to digest and the nutrients are more available than dry feed because there’s no rumen change. It will marble your meat better because every bite is the same,” says Kauffman.
TMR Feed also ensures the ingredients that go into the feed are of the highest quality. They grow their own corn, harvesting at the right time to ensure maximum nutrients. Their haylage is primarily homegrown alfalfa. They take pride in their strict adherence to high-quality forages.
Kauffmann does caution that while their feed can last up to an entire season when properly stored, improper storage can lead to premature molding of the feed. He encourages everyone to store in a cool place, out of direct sunlight and ensure the bag is closed after use to lengthen the life of your feed. With the proper care, your feed can last up to an entire season, giving you the full nutritional benefit for several months.
TMR Feed is available for pickup at 13586 County Road 28 in Middlebury, with local delivery options in Elkhart and LaGrange County.
To make an order, please call 574-349-0408 or fax 574-821-9220 to make your order. Kauffman encourages people to call ahead of time to ensure there is enough stock available.
