Crystal Valley

What Crystal Valley does

Crystal Valley Cooperative is a farmer-owned agricultural cooperative headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota, serving member-owners across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Founded in 1927, the cooperative operates four divisions: agronomy (crop nutrition, crop protection, seed, custom application, and the Crystal Decisions precision agriculture platform leveraging drones, yield mapping, and variable-rate prescriptions), grain (over 25 million bushels of storage across seven locations with marketing and logistics services), feed and nutrition (swine, ruminants, and companion animals through the Munson Lakes Nutrition partnership), and energy (Cenex refined fuels, propane with Crystal-Fill remote tank monitoring, lubricants, and equipment service). The technology stack includes a mobile app and Patron Portal that integrate account management, grain bids, scale tickets, agronomy proposals, energy deliveries, and contract e-signature across all four divisions.

The cooperative generates revenue primarily through transaction-fee model across commodity and service sales in each division, supplemented by subscription-like interest income from the Patron Note Program (Demand Standard 3.85%, Demand 5K 4.75%, 3-Year 2.5%, 5-Year 3.0% certificates). FY25 sales were $357 million against a $3.9 million net loss, with $6.54 million returned to member-owners through patronage, estate payments, and equity retirements. Distribution combines direct-to-farm delivery, eight physical grain/feed locations, Cardtrol retail fueling, and digital self-serve through the patron portal, while pricing for inputs and services is not publicly disclosed. The cooperative serves row-crop farmers, livestock producers, and rural energy customers through member-owned structure, with profits reinvested in service quality and infrastructure rather than distributed to external shareholders.

The company is governed by a member-elected Board of Directors and led by CEO Mitch Altermatt (appointed April 2025) with incoming CFO Tyler Olson (effective June 2026). Recent strategic activity includes the January 2026 Munson Lakes Nutrition ownership acquisition, $23M+ in Madelia strategic capital projects, an ERP system transition, and a rural broadband partnership with Land O'Lakes and Midco.

Name

Crystal Valley

Legal name

Crystal Valley Cooperative

Website

https://crystalvalley.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Crystal Valley Cooperative is a farmer-owned agricultural cooperative serving member-owners across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa with four divisions: agronomy, grain marketing and storage, feed and nutrition, and energy products including propane and refined fuels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Cooperative Services

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)

akta.pro primary industry

Agronomy Advisory & Field Services (Retailer-Affiliated) (AFABAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Precision Nutrient Management Services (Nutrient Modeling, N-Rate Tools, 4R Programs) (AFACACAG), Plant Tissue, Soil & Water Sampling Coordination (Agronomy-Focused) (AFACABAH), Grain Merchandising & Origination Facilities (AFAOAAAD)

Keywords

• Agricultural cooperative services
• Agronomy crop inputs
• Grain marketing storage
• Livestock feed nutrition
• Farm energy propane fuels

Headquarters

HQ city

Mankato

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Agronomy Products and Services: Revenue from crop nutrition (fertilizers), crop protection (chemicals), seed sales, precision agriculture services, and custom application services for farms.
2. Grain Marketing and Storage: Revenue from grain handling, storage, and marketing services. Operates over 25 million bushels of storage capacity across seven locations. Provides cash bids, futures insight, and basis values to help farmers market their grain.
3. Feed and Nutrition Products: Revenue from livestock feed products and nutrition services. Partnered with Munson Lakes Nutrition to expand feed offerings beyond swine to include ruminants and companion animals.
4. Energy Products: Revenue from refined fuels (diesel, gasoline), propane, lubricants, DEF, and energy equipment/ service including tank installations and heating systems.
5. Patron Note Program: Interest-bearing certificates sold to member-owners that support the cooperative's financial foundation. Current rates: Demand Standard 3.85%, Demand 5K 4.75%, 3-Year 2.5%, 5-Year 3.0%.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Crystal Valley is a farmer-owned agricultural cooperative that supplies crop inputs (fertilizer, crop protection chemicals, seed), custom agronomy and precision agriculture services, grain marketing and storage across seven locations with over 25 million bushels of capacity, livestock feed and nutrition programs, and energy products including refined fuels, propane, lubricants, and equipment. Members access all services through the cooperative's branch network, on-farm delivery, and digital patron portal.

Product overview

Crystal Valley Cooperative is a farmer-owned agricultural cooperative offering a multi-divisional portfolio of products and services across agronomy, grain, feed, and energy sectors. The company's agronomy division provides crop nutrition (CrystalMAX, Crystal Grow, MicroEssentials), crop protection, seed sales (Dekalb, Asgrow, Brevant, Croplan, NK, BASF, Stine), precision agriculture (Crystal Decisions platform with drone scouting, yield mapping, variable-rate prescriptions), and custom application services. The grain division operates over 25 million bushels of storage capacity across seven locations with local grain marketers. Feed services span swine, companion animal, and ruminant nutrition through a partnership with Munson Lakes Nutrition. Energy offerings include Cenex refined fuels, propane with Crystal-Fill monitoring, lubricants, and equipment installation. A patron portal and mobile app provide integrated account management across all divisions, while a Patron Note Program offers investment certificates to member-owners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Crystal Decisions: Precision agriculture platform offering drone scouting, yield mapping, variable-rate prescriptions, trial tracking, and soil sampling services.

Products and services

• Agronomy Services Comprehensive agronomy services covering crop nutrition, crop protection, seed sales, precision agriculture, and custom application for crop farmers in southern Minnesota.
• Crop Nutrition Custom crop nutrition programs featuring branded products such as CrystalMAX, Crystal Grow, and MicroEssentials, with variable-rate applications and site-specific blends for crop farmers.
• Crop Protection Weed, pest, and disease management solutions with custom recommendations, in-season scouting, and timely applications using state-of-the-art bulk chemical facilities.
• Seed Sales Seed sales featuring top brands including Dekalb, Asgrow, Alloy, LG, Brevant, Croplan, NK, BASF, and Stine, with bulk soybean treatment at seven sites and on-farm delivery.
• Crystal Decisions Precision Agriculture Crystal Valley's proprietary precision agriculture platform providing drone scouting, aerial imagery, yield and field mapping, variable-rate prescriptions for seed and nutrients, and trial tracking. The cooperative is a Precision Planting Premier Dealer and 360 Yield Center Dealer offering these product lines.
• Custom Application Precision custom crop application including pre- and post-emergence spraying, variable-rate dry fertilizer application, Y-Drop application, high-clearance R1 spraying, and aerial application via drones and airplanes.
• Grain Marketing & Storage Grain marketing and storage services with over 25 million bushels of storage capacity across seven southern Minnesota locations, local grain marketers, cash bids, futures insight, basis values, and facilities with fast receiving and load-out capabilities.
• Feed & Nutrition Services Livestock feed and nutrition services for swine, companion animals, and ruminants, featuring personalized FSMA-compliant nutrition programs, local feed specialists, and delivery through partnership with Munson Lakes Nutrition and feed brands including Purina, Pipestone, Hubbard, and Devenish.
• Refined Fuels Cenex premium fuels including Ruby Fieldmaster and Roadmaster diesel, with contracting options, bulk and transport delivery, and construction rental tanks for jobsites.
• Propane Propane delivery services for homes, farms, and businesses with Crystal-Fill tank monitoring, leased tanks, the HeatWise budget program, and commercial cylinder service including forklift and 20-30 lb cylinders.
• Lubricants & Oils Full line of Cenex lubricants and greases including Premium Synthetic Blend Diesel Engine Oil, Universal Tractor Hydraulic Fluid, and Synthetic Diesel 5W-40, available in bulk and packaged delivery options.
• Energy Equipment & Service Energy equipment installation and service including propane tank installations, propane and natural gas heater installations (Modine Hot Dawg, Reznor, Detroit Radiant), refined fuel bulk tanks, and transport propane tanks.
• Patron Portal / Crystal Valley Mobile App Mobile app and web portal for patrons to manage accounts, view payments, track deliveries, monitor propane tank levels, access grain bids, submit feed orders, and e-sign contracts. Available for Apple and Android devices.
• Patron Note Program Unsecured, interest-bearing certificate program for member-owners with options including Demand Standard (3.85% variable), Demand 5K (4.75% variable), 3-Year (2.5% fixed), and 5-Year (3.0% fixed) certificates.
• Cardtrol Fueling Cardtrol fueling system with conveniently located stations offering a 10-cent per gallon discount on gas, diesel, and DEF. Available to both members and non-members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25 million bushels grain storage capacity across seven locations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Munson Lakes NutritioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrystal Valley Feed partnered with Munson Lakes Nutrition to expand feed offerings beyond swine to include ruminants and companion animals. This partnership enables Crystal Valley to offer complete feed options, bagged products, lick tubs, mineral programs, and show feed options. Crystal Valley acquired an ownership share of Munson Lakes Nutrition (Glencoe-based) in January 2026.
• BASFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor for Crystal Valley's annual Winter Conference 2026, supporting agricultural education and networking events.
• SyngentacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor for Crystal Valley's annual Winter Conference 2026.
• Corteva AgrisciencecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. Corteva products include Pioneer seed brands.
• CHS Inc.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. CHS is a key supplier and strategic partner for refined fuels and other inputs.
• NutriencoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. Nutrien is a major fertilizer and agricultural inputs supplier.
• MosaicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. Potash and phosphate nutrient supplier.
• Helena Agri-EnterprisesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. Agricultural inputs and specialty products distributor.
• Precision PlantingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrystal Valley is a Precision Planting Premier Dealer, providing dedicated support for Precision Planting products, on-farm mobile service, and responsive tech support. Offers full line of Precision Planting products and services.
• 360 Yield CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCrystal Valley is a 360 Yield Center Dealer, offering products and service support for agricultural technology solutions.
• NK (Syngenta)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. NK is Syngenta's seed brand offering corn and soybean varieties.
• Brevant SeedsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. Seed brand offering high-yielding corn and soybean varieties.
• CroplanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. WinField United's seed brand for corn and soybeans.
• Land O'LakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner on broadband connectivity project benefiting Hope, MN and surrounding area. Partnership to expand rural broadband access supporting agricultural operations.
• MidcocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on broadband connectivity project with Land O'Lakes. Midco provides internet service to rural agricultural communities in southern Minnesota.
• South Central CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on dual training program certificate program and agricultural education initiatives. Crystal Valley Agribusiness Lab ribbon cutting with South Central College.
• Purina (Land O'Lakes)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed brand partner offering livestock nutrition products through Crystal Valley Feed division.
• PipestoneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed brand partner specializing in swine nutrition programs.
• HubbardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed brand partner offering livestock and poultry nutrition products.
• DevenishminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFeed brand partner specializing in advanced animal nutrition solutions.
• Bayer (DEKALB)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. DEKALB is Bayer's seed brand for corn and soybean genetics.
• FMCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. Agricultural sciences company providing crop protection products.
• AG XploreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for Winter Conference 2026. Soil and plant health analysis products and services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wilbur-Ellis: Established ag inputs and specialty chemicals distributor offering crop protection, seed, and nutrition across the U.S.; comparable to Crystal Valley's crop protection and crop nutrition product lines.
• Nutrien Ag Solutions: Retail arm of Nutrien, the world's largest fertilizer producer, supplying crop inputs, agronomy, and digital tools; competes with Crystal Valley's agronomy division and is a key supplier partner.
• CHS Inc. The largest U.S. farmer-owned cooperative; supplies refined fuels (Cenex), crop nutrients, and grain marketing — directly comparable as a multi-division ag cooperative and a key supplier-partner to Crystal Valley.
• Land O'Lakes: Major farmer-owned cooperative operating across crop inputs (WinField United), feed (Purina), and dairy. Comparable to Crystal Valley's multi-divisional cooperative structure and feed strategy via Purina partnership.

Direct peers

• GROWMARK: Regional agricultural cooperative supplying agronomy, grain, energy, and feed across the U.S. Midwest; closely mirrors Crystal Valley's four-division model and member-owned governance.
• Ag Partners Cooperative: Minnesota-based ag cooperative offering agronomy, grain, feed, and energy to member farmers; comparable geography, scale, and product mix to Crystal Valley.
• New Cooperative: Iowa-based farmer-owned cooperative providing grain, agronomy, and feed services in the upper Midwest; overlaps Crystal Valley's northern Iowa footprint and core service lines.
• MaxYield Cooperative: Iowa-based agricultural cooperative delivering grain, agronomy, energy, and feed services; similar size and four-division structure to Crystal Valley.

Emerging players

• Helena Agri-Enterprises: National distributor of crop protection, crop nutrition, and specialty ag products; comparable to Crystal Valley's crop protection/nutrition offering as a competing input supplier/distributor.

Regional players

• Heartland Co-op: Iowa-based cooperative offering grain, agronomy, and feed across central Iowa; comparable member-owned service model with a different geographic focus than Crystal Valley.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CrystalValleyMN

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Crystal Valley