The Global Animal Nutrition Innovation Center in Elk River, Minnesota, serves as a hub for Cargill’s nutrition research and technology application since 1958. Here, our teams develop new methods of nutrient measurement to deeply understand how ingredients feed animals and support production. Animals are also cared for onsite to identify and validate scientific principles related to their health and understand how various nutrients support their wellbeing.

This cutting-edge facility performs: 

• Comprehensive nutrient analysis for on-farm feed samples from across the U.S. 
• Rigorous quality control for Cargill feed plants 
• Innovative research trials to further understand feed ingredients and how they support cattle performance at all life stages

By the Numbers: 

• 70-cow tie-stall research facility 
• 32 rumen-cannulated cows for digestive studies 
• 60,000+ producer forage samples analyzed annually (up to 600/day) 
• 300 daily ingredient samples from Cargill feed plants 

Nutrient Analysis of Feed Samples

Our state-of-the-art forage laboratory was recently remodeled with a 50-million-dollar investment from Cargill. This facility calculates the nutritional quality for hundreds of producer feed samples daily using advanced NIR (near-infrared) and other testing techniques. Additional analysis also gives reports for fermentation quality, fiber digestibility, and feed hygiene.  

Sampling forages and feeds is a crucial insight for producers and Cargill consultants. Results help to dial in rations, troubleshoot metabolic or herd health issues, and benchmark quality and trends. 

Let’s consider benchmarking quality and trends for a moment. Cargill’s technical specialists can review multiple samples from a farm and look for trends or patterns. For example, comparing today’s forage numbers to last spring or last year. We can also compare metrics like yield, tonnage, and nutrient values regionally to peers. Benchmarking also leads us to identifying causes for mycotoxins and poor forage quality, which can then guide management practices like time of harvest, moisture or packing and storage methods.  

Every feed sample result is uploaded into Cargill’s nutritional software, dairy MAX, where future-forward nutrition can become a daily tool for producers.

 

Rigorous Quality Control for All Cargill’s Feed Ingredients

Quality control is not just a checkbox, but a core part of what you can expect from us. Cargill continuously ensures the consistency of all its feed ingredients through third-party auditing quality systems, proprietary calibrations built from wet chemistry, and a global ingredient database spanning over 200 feed ingredients.

 

Research that Starts with Producer Questions and Challenges

Research, development, and testing at our Global Innovation Center is driven by challenges that producers encounter on their farms. Research trials move efficiently because the herd is onsite, and findings are proven in real farm conditions.

Transition nutrition models and dynamic nutrition models were developed in response to specific producer needs and are continuously refined based on feedback from our consultants. This producer-centric approach ensures that the facility’s work stays relevant and impactful. 

Mechanical Cows and Real Cows: A Dual Approach to Research

One of the fascinating tools in here is what we call “mechanical cows.” These are in vitro systems that replicate the rumen’s biological environment. They let Cargill researchers test feeds and additives in a controlled setting before moving to animal trials. 

After testing with the mechanical cows, the in vivo work begins. Real cows on-site allow Cargill researchers to confirm how these innovations work under actual farm conditions. This tight loop from lab, simulation, to live animal trials means that Cargill’s research team can refine ideas faster and deliver validated solutions to our producers.

The Global Innovation Center’s purpose is to address real producer challenges and opportunities for more efficient systems, higher-quality nutrition, and supporting herd health.