Celebrating Ten Years of Dedication and Commitment to Agriculture
When Pellet Technology USA (PTUSA) began its journey a decade ago, the company set out with a clear purpose to strengthen agriculture by creating valuable, yet sustainable livestock feed for producers. As PTUSA grew, experience and real-world feedback shaped how that vision would be executed. By learning from what didn’t work and refining what did, PTUSA adapted its business model driven by persistence, innovation and a shared commitment to the agriculture industry.
Founded in 2016, PTUSA is a subsidiary of ICM Inc., a company widely known for its role in ethanol production where distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are a natural co-product. Sharing ICM’s vision of sustaining agriculture, PTUSA recognized the nutritional value of DDGS and set to turn this high-protein ingredient into a practical, reliable feed solution for range cattle.
However, before turning to DDGS, PTUSA had also explored a solution that pushed boundaries and tested new ground by formulating cattle feed with stover, the corn residue remaining in the field after harvest. As with many innovative startups, the initial plan proved challenging and as the market responded, PTUSA listened and evolved to the solution they now have today with DDGS, focused on the same vision of sustainability and benefit to the end user.
“It hasn’t always been the easiest route,” said Ellie Antova, general manager at PTUSA. “But dedication and our team have made the company what it is today. The commitment to the industry, the commitment to the team, and the commitment to providing what’s best for our customers has carried us forward.”
That willingness to adapt became a defining moment for the company. By pivoting toward distillers grains and developing delivery mechanisms like cubes, pellets, and pressed tubs, PTUSA aligned its innovation with the realities of ranching.
While DDGS have been fed to cattle for years, delivering them directly to cattle in open pasture presents challenges. Conditions such as wind, rain and soil can lead to significant loss and inconsistent intake.
“We made DDGS into pellets for a range cube that could be spread on the ground to supplement cattle, whereas if you just put DDGS on the ground, it gets trampled under or lost,” said Dave VandgerGriend, founder of ICM and PTUSA. “The cubes keep them big enough where cows can eat it.”
By transforming DDGS into feed forms cattle can consume easily in pastures, PTUSA products give them access to high-quality nutrition that supports the herd through harsh weather and critical stages of the production cycle, such as gestation and milk production.
That practical approach turned innovation into impact, with ranchers seeing the effect for themselves. Over time, customers noticed they were able to feed roughly 10% less of PTUSA products compared to other cube options, such as pelleted wheat midds, and still achieve improved results. They also noted stronger conception rates and improved weaning weights, both of which directly impact their herd health and profitability.
Today, PTUSA serves ranchers across more than 20 states, delivering nutritional feed options that not only offer quality, but flexibility. While PowerCubes™, PowerPellets™ and PowerTubs™ all provide the same high-quality nutrition, having PowerTubs™ in the PTUSA portfolio provides ranchers an option that allows them to spend less time managing feed while maintaining consistent intake, creating more efficiency and less labor.
Beyond the products themselves, PTUSA’s success today is rooted in relationships. By focusing on a hands‑on approach, working directly with customers, standing behind products, and remaining accountable for quality and service, PTUSA has built and retained its customer base.
“I think it starts first with the people,” Antova said. “Our commitment to the end user, our reliability, and our quality are what set us apart.”
As PTUSA celebrates its 10‑year anniversary, the focus isn’t just on how far the company has come, but on where it’s headed. Continued innovation in the tub line, expanded formulations, and disciplined growth signal a future built on the same principles that carried the company through its most formative years.
“We turned a challenge that didn’t work out into something that is now successful,” said VanderGriend. “It allowed us to utilize our facility, make it profitable, and ultimately serve the market better.”
Ten years in, PTUSA stands as proof that perseverance matters. Through dedication, adaptability, and a team that believed in the vision, PTUSA has built more than a business. It has built a trusted partner for ranchers and sustainability in the agricultural supply chain.
“We’re excited about the future,” Antova said. “There are many opportunities ahead, and our focus will always be on growing in the right direction while serving our customers well.”