May 13—DICKINSON — Keeping cattle and horses healthy on the Western Edge can be a challenge, and remains one of the top priorities for beef producers in the area. An adequate health program is, without argue, vital to any beef herd management plan. Luckily for area ranchers, a newly opened local business is ready to tackle the challenge with seasoned professionals ready to assist with bagged and bulk feed, animal health products and a variety of vaccines that add an extra ease of mind for cattle producers — and all at competitive prices.

There's an old adage that great things comes in threes, and at AgCentral Solutions in Dickinson, an executive team of three understand all too well the vital importance that minerals and vitamins play in a well-balanced feed and healthy beef production.

Bradie Schmidt, business manager; Brody Jones, manager; and Olivia Scholle, livestock product specialist, say that are ready to be the one-stop-shop for all area rancher health and nutrition needs.

"Our main focus are our livestock producers and animal lovers of all sorts. We serve mainly our cattle producers in the area with feed, animal health and a full line of cattle and equine products," Schmidt said. "We're really excited to be here in Dickinson...We're excited to continue to serve area customers and provide livestock feed. Southwest North Dakota and eastern Montana are our focal points, so from Glendive and Dickinson we are serving customers with the very best products for their herd management."

For Schmidt, who is part owner of AgCentral Solutions in Dickinson, the love of all things agriculture and ranching started young as she grew up in eastern Nebraska on a row crop farm.

"I went to South Dakota State, along with all of our local employees here, and I got my undergraduate degree in Animal Science and my Master's in livestock genetics. In 2018, I did an internship after college where I went to the business in Glendive," she said. "After I graduated, I went back to Glendive to take the position of manager of that store. Then when we expanded to open this location, I was offered it as a part owner."

Schmidt added, "I've been on the livestock producer side and now get to be on the service side, and that is a pretty special responsibility."

Jones shared a similar genesis story for his love for agriculture and ranching, graduating from South Dakota State University with a degree in Agriculture Systems Technology and a minor in Animal Science.

"I've been in South Dakota my entire life, until now, growing up on a ranch in western South Dakota in the Midland area raising cattle calf pairs," Jones said. "I really kind of fell in love with it and I went to school for it because it was what I had always grown up with. Now I get to stay involved in the industry, which I love, and help area ranchers with their needs."

According to Jones, situations occur where forages or rations fall short of the nutrients area cattle need — highlighting the recent record-setting blizzard and years of consecutive drought conditions. He believes that a healthy solution begins with a complement nutrition program of Purina supplements and a team of local professionals with experience in identifying and remedying those deficiencies.

"We have options to fit customer forage availability, labor resources, feed type preference and feeding facilities that are flexible, convenient solutions perfect to ensuring the quality and health of area herds," Jones said. "I always wanted to be in the animal industry, and I used to be on the other side and now to be on this side of things it's been a nice full circle for me personally."

Jones added, "Understanding both sides is an asset to our staff here and our customers. We get their concerns and needs, we understand and want to help get them what they need."

AgCentral Solutions is a Purina partner that specializes in providing the industry leading innovations aimed at unlocking the greatest potential of cattle and horses.

Explaining a typical process for customers, Schmidt highlighted the services AgCentral Solutions provides area residents.

"We have a full-time Purina specialist on hand and the customer would talk with them to see what their livestock nutrition needs are. With that we do forage, water and tissue sampling and can see on a scientific level what the needs are in terms of minerals, supplements," she said.

Jones explained how the process would proceed after the initial samplings.

"Our nutritionist then figures out the best rations for the customer, then on their discretion we kick start the next phase in here with me where I see what we have on-hand in the warehouse or if we need to special order it in," he said.

Inviting area livestock producers to see first hand their products, AgCentral Solutions will welcome all to their Grand Opening on July 14, at 1202 Livestock Lane, Dickinson, ND.

"To southwest North Dakota, you have an animal health and animal feed store local again," Jones said. "There is a big hole to fill, after the last business left, and we are here to fill that by helping with your needs. We can get anything in animal health relatively quick, as well as animal feed to get you what you need."