Three AGR Alumni from the University of Kentucky work to feed livestock all over the world. Bob Hall '51 flanked by his son Lee, '80 (left) and general manager Jeff Pendleton, '82.

Reprinted with permission from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Magazine

Hall, a 1953 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, and his wife, Bonnie, own and operate Farmers Feed Mill in Lexington, manufacturer of Hallway Feeds. Together with his son, Lee, and general manager Jeff Pendleton, Bob oversees production and distribution of high-quality custom feeds to farms and dealers across the United States, Great Britain, the Middle East, Japan, and Puerto Rico. Plans are in the works to market feed in Australia and New Zealand.

“When we bought the mill in 1964, we had only two trucks and two employees,” Bob said. “Now we have seven trucks and nearly 30 employees. If you give people a quality product and good service and attitude, it makes it easier to maintain friendships.”

Quality, service, and attitude are the energizing ingredients that give Farmer Feed Mill and Hallway Feeds a preeminent position in the feed industry. Those three words, which are printed proudly on a large sign mounted high above the mill floor, are part of a family success story with strong connections to UK agriculture.

The Early Years

Bob Hall was first introduced to the UK College of Agriculture through Kentucky’s 4-H program. With no local club, he was a 4-H’er “at large,” and showed livestock at the local, district, and state level. He loved every minute of it.

“I didn’t care whether I showed sheep or hogs or cattle as long as I had a good one and could win with it,” Bob said. “My sister, Emily, was the oldest, so she had the privilege of trucking me around to all the shows, and she took me wherever I needed to go.”

One time while in 4-H, Bob got to see the UK livestock judging team in action. He was so impressed by what he saw he instantly knew what he wanted to do.

“I wanted to be on the team!” he said. “It’s the big thing that caused me to want to go to the UK ag college, and later, when I finally enrolled, it was my focal point the whole time I was in school.”

Bob and his teammates made names for themselves. In 1951, the livestock team placed fourth at the national show in Chicago, the highest showing of any Kentucky team to that date. The following year Hall and his cohorts switched to become the meats judging team. In placing second, they again had the highest national showing of any Kentucky team to that date.

“We never did get over the hurdle to win first place, but we were always pushing for it and never gave up,” Bob said.

Following graduation, Bob briefly managed an Angus operation near Bloomfield. Then, as he puts it, Uncle Sam gave him a “two-year vacation in Germany.” While overseas he worked as a military food inspector. The job gave him the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and see livestock shows. Upon returning to civilian life in 1958, Bob hired on as the purebred beef herdsman at UK’s Coldstream Farm.

“I went to work in February and I married Bonnie in August,” Bob said. “We started housekeeping together at Coldstream, and we have many good memories of that time.”

In 1964 Bob and Bonnie made a decision that would change their lives. They brought a small feed mill on Price Avenue in Lexington from Herman Griggs. Up to that time, the only experience Bob had in packaging feed was when he bagged whole wheat flour and corn meal before the war to help his folks. Now mixing and packaging livestock feed would be his livlihood.

The Company Today

When the Halls bought Farmers Feed Mill, it mostly served dairy farms. In fact, almost all the major central Kentucky dairies were customers. But as the years went by and more and more dairies disappeared, the mill changed with the market to meet customer needs.

“Today we’re mostly horse feed, probably 75 to 80 percent,” said Bob. “We also make quite a it of beef cattle feed, and also some specialty products such as rabbit feed, zoo feeds, and exotic animal feeds.”

Products made at the mill carry the name “Hallway Feeds” and are the preferred performance feed for many of the world’s most celebrated equine athletes.

“We’ve fed three of the last five Kentucky Derby winners, and a tremendous number of highly ranked horses,” said Lee Hall, vice president and 1983 graduate of the College ofriculture. “We’ve been very lucky to get a lot of prominent trainers using our products, whether they are in New York, or California, or Kentucky.”

With product names such as Race 13, Stamm 30, and Prep 14, Hallway Feeds has reached out during the past few years to establish markets internationally.

“Our products are manufactured in several foreign countries and sold to trainers and breeders in those markets,” said Lee. “They are sold under the name of the local company, but supported by our reputation, technical expertise, and commitment to quality.”

Even though they have expanded their business to serve overseas customers, the Halls continue to place a high priority on local sales and service.

“Our bread and butter is still manufacturing the product and delivering it right to the farm or other end user,” said Jeff Pendleton, general manager and 1985 graduate of the UK College of Agriculture. “We serve Fayette and surrounding counties. Then on another level, we distribute product to dealerships regionally and nationally. Then we also make feed for other companies who have their own private label products.”

Pride of Accomplishment

Part of the Hallway Feeds success story can be credited to the unique business and personal relationships forged over the years between Bob, Lee, and Jeff. All three are graduates of the UK College of Agriculture. All three are members of Alpha Gamma Rho. All three have been active in the College of Agriculture Alumni Association, and each has received the Outstanding Alumni Award.

“Jeff is production and administratively oriented, my strength lies in marketing, and Dad’s strength lies in overall experience in purchasing and in the wealth of experience that comes from years in the business,” said Lee.

Although Lee’s major was agricultural economics, many of his classes were in animal sciences. Like his father before him, he found success as a member of UK’s livestock judging team. After graduation he started working at the family mill delivering feed and waiting on customers. He also helped out on the family’s 120-acre Scott County farm.

“I spend as much time on the farm as I did at the mill, which was invaluable in terms of the experience I got making day-to-day decisions about the care of livestock,” said Lee, who now spends a portion of the year traveling overseas to establish new markets for Hallway Feeds.

“I’m proud that we’ve been able to conduct a classy business, one that has a high level of esteem among our customers and our competitors,” he said during a recent interview. “I’m proud of my dad and mom; my sister, Julia, and her business; and I’m proud of Jeff. I’m also proud of our production and delivery people. Many times I’ve seen them start out as a new, inexperienced employee, and then over the years watch them become a valued part of the team who shares in the success of the company.”

Lee Hall also said he is proud of people who have steadfastly purchased products from Farmers Feed Mill down through the years.

“We see many of our customers who started out years ago with just a few mares now have large operations, which means they’ve been growing and becoming more successful just like we have. And it’s our loyal customers who have given us the tools and the ability to remain successful,” he said.

“We bend over backwards to give good service to our customers,” said Bob Hall. “It’s become a habit with us over the years, and it’s made all the difference.”

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