Lone Star Feed

The Lone Star Feed Story

From humble beginnings to a lasting legacy, Lone Star Feed traces its roots to the bold vision of M. S. Wright. After two decades in the fertilizer business, Wright understood that fertilizer alone could not sustain a company devoted to the prosperity of rural Texas. He recognized that the farmers and ranchers who relied on rich soil also depended on reliable feed, for the mules and horses that powered their work, and for the cattle, hogs, and livestock that fed their families and communities. 

The Birth of Texas Farm Products

In the spring of 1930, the board of directors of what was then Texas Fertilizer Company approved construction of a feed-mixing mill, marking the company’s first major expansion beyond fertilizer. Reflecting its broader mission, the board voted to rename the business Texas Farm Products Company (TFP) a name that spoke to serving the full agricultural lifecycle: soil, crops, and animals. 

A Heritage of Care and Commitment

Over the decades, Lone Star’s story has taken many turns, but its mission has never changed, to enrich the lives of the people and industries that feed and care for animals. TFP ventured into cottonseed oil refining, shortening production, poultry and cattle demonstration farms, hatcheries, and even animal-health pharmaceuticals through the C. J. Martin Company. Each chapter expanded the company’s reach, but all were rooted in the same purpose: supporting those who live and work close to the land. 

Expanding into New Frontiers of Animal Nutrition

By the 1970s, the company’s leadership was already looking toward the next frontier. In September 1975, the board minutes noted Steele Wright’s plan to expand the feed business into pet foods, a natural evolution of the company’s expertise. Just three years later, in April 1978, TFP commissioned one of the region’s first modern pet-food plants, further cementing its role as a pioneer in animal nutrition. 

Around the same time, Dick Wright’s vision came to life with the 1970 opening of the Lone Star Farm & Home Center in Nacogdoches, a state-of-the-art retail hub that deepened the company’s connection to the community and strengthened the presence of the Lone Star name across Texas. 

The Spirit of Lone Star Today

Today, the Lone Star brand stands as a symbol of quality, heritage, and pride. What began as a trusted name in fertilizer and feed has grown into something much greater. Through its feeds, fertilizers, pet foods, and timeless apparel, Lone Star has become a lifestyle, one that celebrates the enduring bond between the soil, the animals, and the people who steward them.