ABOUT US
About Innovative Livestock Services
What began as an independent cattle feeding operation in Central Kansas in the 1960s has grown into one of the region’s leading cattle feeding, farming and agribusiness enterprises. Today, Innovative Livestock Services operates across Kansas and Nebraska, with businesses spanning cattle feeding, farming and a diverse group of agricultural services.
While ILS has grown significantly, the principles behind the company have remained constant: take care of people, embrace innovation, build lasting relationships and always look for a better way to do the work.
Our businesses are diverse, but they are stronger together. Across ILS, our teams share expertise, resources and relationships to create greater value for our customers and partners. From cattle feeding and crop production to agronomy, environmental services, transportation and other agricultural solutions, our integrated approach allows us to solve problems, improve performance and identify new opportunities across the agricultural supply chain.
At the center of it all are our people. ILS employs talented men and women who take pride in their work, care for the resources entrusted to them and understand the important role agriculture plays in feeding and fueling the world. We invest in our employees, the next generation of agricultural leaders and the rural communities we call home because we believe strong people and strong communities are essential to the future of agriculture.
As we look ahead, ILS remains focused on growth—not simply becoming larger, but always getting better. We will continue investing in our people, pursuing innovation, strengthening our businesses and partnerships, and finding new ways to create value for our customers and the communities we serve.
Performance Through Innovation.
leadership
Jerrod Westfahl
Executive Chairman
Bronson Smith
President & CEO
Jon Skelton
Chief Financial Officer
Aaron Spanier
VP - Administration
Grant Moon
Director of Allied Businesses
Jeff Cather
Director of Corporate Development
Cory Kinsley
VP - Risk Management
Greg Peters
Vice President, ILS Supply Chain Solutions
Tyler Spore
VP - Cattle Operations
Lee Borck
Chairman Emeritus
Garret Smith
Director of Farm Operations
Jerry Kuckelman
Vice Chairman
Innovative Livestock Services actively purchases cattle from across the country year-round. Our expert procurement team has developed relationships throughout the industry, including salebarns, video auction markets, and direct from customers, and continuously seeks to offer competitive and fair prices for cattle. If you are interested in selling your calves to ILS, contact our Cattle Procurement Team today.
Cattle Feeding
Cattle Procurement
Ryan danehey | bill bunker
Manhattan - (785) 587-9700 | Great Bend - (620) 793-9200
Details matter at Innovative Livestock Services. Our Cattle Accounting & Coordination professionals work meticulously to oversee cattle logistics for cattle arriving at the feedyards. They also coordinate all cattle and freight payments as well as manage customer financing.
Cattle Accounting & Coordination
Kim smith
(620) 793-9200
Managing risk is critical in our business, and ILS has a dedicated team to work with our customers on risk management solutions. Our team works with customers on marketing strategies based on production estimates using futures and options risk management tools.
Customer risk management
Cody Campfield | garret Ludwig
(620) 792-5028
For ILS, marketing cattle requires a combination of close coordination with the packer processor and visual assessment of cattle ensure they’re ready for harvest. Our cattle marketing expert understands the dynamic cattle marketplace and works daily to maximize the marketing of our cattle.
Cattle marketing
Joel keith
(620) 793-9200
ILS FArms
ILS Farms originated in 2007 from the union of Great Bend Feeding and Ward Feed Yard, situated in Central Kansas. As time progressed, ILS Farms has expanded to over double its original size, spanning across Barton, Pawnee, and Stafford counties.
The farm's primary crops include alfalfa, corn, soybeans, and various small grains like rye, triticale, and wheat. These crops are utilized in various ways by ILS Farms, such as using corn produced in ILS, Inc feedyards for cattle feed rations, and small grain seed production to support a comprehensive grazing program managed in conjunction with the feedyards.
With ILS, Inc's transition towards a vertically integrated model, the farm has gained opportunities for growth and innovation. For example, adopting advanced irrigation technology has allowed for increased logistical efficiency while simultaneously conserving water resources. Additionally, the farm's access to organic fertilizers, such as cattle manure, has helped reduce the reliance on commercial fertilizers, thus rendering ILS Farms more sustainable for the future.
Garret Smith - Director of Farm Operations
(620) 388-4405
Kent Standy - General Manager
(620) 786-1771
ILS Allied Businesses
The strength of Innovative Livestock Services extends beyond our feedyards and farms. Through our Allied Businesses, we provide innovative products and services that support producers across every stage of agriculture. Each company is led by experienced professionals who understand the unique challenges facing today's agricultural producers while sharing ILS's commitment to integrity, innovation and exceptional customer service.
Our Allied Businesses include:
Mid America Ag Supply: Ag Retail
Ag Systems: Valley Irrigation Dealership
GK Environmental: Compost Manufacturing
Agri-Fuels: Fuel Distribution
Alfalfa Pellets: Feed Manufacturing
WFY Trucking: Commodity Trucking
Together, these businesses complement our feedyard and farming operations while providing trusted products and services to customers throughout the region. By combining specialized expertise with the resources of the broader ILS organization, our Allied Businesses help producers improve efficiency, increase productivity and build stronger agricultural operations.
Grant Moon - Director of Allied Businesses
(620) 388-5770