March 21, 2026
Tennessee cattle and calves cash receipts reached $876.7 million in 2023, the highest value of any single livestock commodity in the state (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2023). All manufacturers, distributors, and labelers of commercial feed operating in or shipping into Tennessee must hold a Commercial Feed Facility License issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) under Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) § 44-6-104; the minimum annual fee is $50, renewed by July 1. Retailers selling only pre-labeled products from licensed manufacturers are exempt from this licensing requirement. All Tennessee businesses must register through the Tennessee Secretary of State and obtain a business license for $15 per location through the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point (TNTAP) portal at tntap.tn.gov. Under TCA § 67-6-207, qualified farmers may purchase livestock feed free of Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax and applicable local option taxes by presenting a valid agricultural Certificate of Exemption issued by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.
Tennessee’s market activity is firmly connected to these broader national market currents. The Nashville metro area reached approximately 1,333,000 residents in 2024, growing 1.37% from the prior year (Tennessee State Data Center, 2025), with Williamson and surrounding counties supporting significant equine, beef cattle, and hobby farming operations that generate consistent year-round feed demand. Knoxville anchors East Tennessee’s agricultural market, with a metro population of approximately 796,000 in 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2025); Knox Farmers Cooperative has served the region’s cattle, poultry, and goat producers since 1946. Statewide, Tennessee held 1.60 million head of cattle and calves as of January 1, 2024, ranking 16th nationally, and ranked 2nd nationally in meat goat inventory (USDA NASS, 2024). Southeast Tennessee, including McMinn County, hosts active beef cattle and dairy operations; AgCentral Cooperative operates an on-site feed mill in Athens that produces custom-milled coarse and pelleted rations for producers across the region.
The federal government’s regulatory role adds essential structure to Tennessee’s marketplace. Commercial feed sold in Tennessee must display a product name, net weight, and guaranteed analysis, minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum crude fiber, along with required vitamin statements and precautionary language for any medicated or additive-containing products (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0080-05-05). Tennessee does not require individual product registration; facility-level licensing suffices. The TDA obtains field samples analyzed at the TDA Ivy Laboratory, and high-risk establishments are inspected twice per year. The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) at afia.org offers the Safe Feed/Safe Food certification, a voluntary third-party program launched in 2004 and recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a model for safe commercial feed production; more than 300 facilities have been certified nationally. The Tennessee Feed and Grain Association (TFGA) at tnfeedandgrain.org has represented the state’s feed and grain sector since 1960 and holds its annual convention in Franklin, Tennessee, providing members with advocacy, networking, and the Mary Cooper Scholarship Fund for industry education.
Equipped with this regulatory knowledge, buyers can evaluate their options more effectively. Tennessee buyers benefit from a specification-first approach when evaluating the livestock feed options on the market. Confirming that the manufacturer or distributor holds a valid Commercial Feed Facility License from the TDA validates product legitimacy; licensing status can be verified by contacting TDA Regulatory Services at (615) 837-5148. Checking feed labels against the guaranteed analysis for crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber percentages as required by state labeling rules confirms compliance with Tennessee standards. Qualified farmers planning to use the agricultural exemption under TCA § 67-6-207 benefit from confirming that the supplier accepts the exemption certificate before purchase, since sellers are legally permitted to decline it. AFIA Safe Feed/Safe Food certification indicates a facility has undergone independent third-party review against FDA-recognized standards for safe feed production. If a supplier misrepresents feed composition, delivers mislabeled product, or refuses warranted refunds, consumers can file a complaint under TCA § 47-18-104 through the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs at tn.gov/consumer. Veterinarians and UT Extension livestock specialists provide nutrition analyses matched to a herd’s species, age, and production stage, and feed labels carrying a current AAFCO guarantee analysis and Tennessee Department of Agriculture registration document the product’s nutrient content and regulatory compliance.
Top Livestock Feed Providers in Tennessee
Davidson Farmers Co-op
- Address: 3511 Dickerson Road, Nashville, TN 37207
- Phone: (615) 860-4774
- Website: https://www.ourcoop.com/locations/davidson-farmers
- Description: Rating: 4.7/5 (583 reviews) (Google, via Wanderlog) bulk feed, bagged feed, agronomy, chicks, equipment rental, livestock services, farm and rural lifestyle products Founded in 1941, Davidson Farmers Co-op is a member-owned cooperative serving livestock producers, equine operations, and hobby farmers across Nashville’s Davidson County and surrounding Middle Tennessee counties. The co-op carries both bulk and bagged feed for cattle, horses, poultry, goats, and sheep, and offers agronomy and livestock specialist services on-site.
Knox Farmers Cooperative
- Address: 6616 Asheville Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37924
- Phone: (865) 522-3148
- Website: https://www.knoxcoop.net
- Description: Rating: 4.4/5 (263 reviews) (Google, aggregated) bulk feed, bagged feed, chicks, agronomy, equipment rental, livestock services, livestock specialist, soil testing, small engine shop, financing Established in 1946, Knox Farmers Cooperative has served East Tennessee’s agricultural community from its Knoxville location for approximately 80 years, with a second location at 3903 Fountain Valley Drive, Knoxville. The co-op offers a full range of livestock feeds for cattle, poultry, goats, and sheep alongside agronomy support, soil testing, and a small engine repair shop.
Williamson Farmers Co-op
- Address: 200 Eddy Lane, Franklin, TN 37064
- Phone: (615) 790-6100
- Website: https://shopfarmerscoop.com
- Description: Rating: 4.7/5 (86 reviews) (Yelp, December 2025) cattle feed, horse feed, poultry feed, sheep and goat feed, swine feed, pet supplies, seeds, livestock equipment, horse tack, hunting and fishing supplies, lawn and garden Founded in 1946 and locally owned by more than 1,300 farmer members, Williamson Farmers Co-op operates two locations in Franklin, Tennessee, serving Williamson County and surrounding Middle Tennessee farm communities. The co-op carries a broad selection of bagged and bulk feeds across species, cattle, horse, poultry, sheep, goat, and swine, alongside a greenhouse and garden center.
AgCentral Cooperative
- Address: 29 East Ave., Athens, TN 37303
- Phone: (423) 507-9304
- Website: https://www.agcentral.coop
- Description: Rating: 4.0/5 (7 reviews) (Google, via ChamberofCommerce.com) bulk feed, custom-milled feed (coarse and pelleted), livestock specialist, agronomy, soil testing, forage and silage testing, bulk fertilizer, custom application, precision agriculture services, 24-hour diesel fuel Formed in 2015 through the merger of Foothills Farmers Co-op and Valley Farmers Co-op, AgCentral Cooperative traces its roots to 1945 and is owned by more than 2,000 farmer members in southeast Tennessee. The cooperative operates an on-site feed mill at its Athens Farm Center producing custom rations, a grain processing facility in Greenback that mills roasted soybeans and corn, and holds a Purina Certified Elite Dealer designation; its Animal Feeds Division accounts for more than 40% of total cooperative sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to hold a Commercial Feed Facility License in Tennessee?
Any person who manufactures, distributes, or labels commercial feed as the guarantor in Tennessee, including operations that ship feed into the state from out of state, must hold a Commercial Feed Facility License issued by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) under TCA § 44-6-104. The minimum annual registration fee is $50, with licenses expiring June 30 and renewal required by July 1.
Is livestock feed exempt from Tennessee’s state sales tax?
Yes, under TCA § 67-6-207, livestock feed qualifies for Tennessee’s agricultural sales and use tax exemption when purchased by a qualified farmer. A qualified farmer is generally one who owns or leases agricultural land from which $1,500 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold during the year, or one who provides for-hire custom agricultural services. To purchase feed tax-free, the farmer must first obtain a Certificate of Exemption from the Tennessee Department of Revenue; the certificate is valid for four-year periods and is reissued automatically by the Department.
What labeling is required on commercial feed sold in Tennessee?
Commercial feed sold in Tennessee must carry a label on the principal display panel that includes: the product name and brand name if any, net weight, minimum percentage of crude protein, minimum percentage of crude fat, maximum percentage of crude fiber, and required vitamin content in specified terms. Feeds containing drugs, medicated additives, or other special-purpose additives must include precautionary statements on the label. These requirements are codified in Tenn.
How can buyers verify a livestock feed supplier’s credentials?
Buyers can verify that a feed manufacturer or distributor holds a valid Commercial Feed Facility License by contacting the TDA’s agricultural inputs division at (615) 837-5148 or AgInputs.Feed@tn.gov. Licensed facilities are subject to TDA field inspection and laboratory analysis of feed samples. For an additional layer of quality assurance, buyers can look for suppliers or their brand partners who carry the AFIA Safe Feed/Safe Food certification, a voluntary third-party program recognized by the FDA as a model for safe commercial feed production, with more than 300 certified facilities nationally.
What do livestock feeds typically cost in Tennessee?
Feed costs in Tennessee vary substantially by species, product formulation, and purchase volume. Bagged cattle feed typically ranges from $15 to $35 per 50-pound bag depending on protein content and additives; horse feeds run $20 to $45 per 50-pound bag for performance or senior formulations. Bulk feed purchased through cooperative members generally costs 10% to 25% less per ton than equivalent bagged retail pricing.
What recourse do consumers have if a livestock feed supplier engages in deceptive practices?
Tennessee’s Commercial Feed Law (TCA § 44-6-104) authorizes the TDA to investigate complaints about mislabeled or adulterated feed products and to require corrective action from licensed facilities. Consumers who receive feed that does not match its labeled guaranteed analysis, or that causes livestock illness attributable to product contamination or mislabeling, can file a complaint with the TDA at (615) 837-5148.
What return policies apply to livestock feed purchased in Tennessee?
Unopened bags of livestock feed in original sealed packaging are generally returnable within 30 days at Tennessee farm supply retailers with a receipt. Opened bags of livestock feed are typically non-returnable because feed exposed to the environment can absorb moisture, attract pests, and degrade in nutritional quality, making it unsuitable for resale. Medicated livestock feeds containing FDA-regulated drugs have additional restrictions and may not be returnable once purchased. Manufacturer warranties do not apply to livestock feed as a consumable product, but feed found to be contaminated, moldy, or not matching the guaranteed nutritional analysis on the label should be reported to both the retailer and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Tennessee law requires all commercial livestock feed sold in the state to be registered with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and to carry an accurate guaranteed analysis label. Report suspected feed contamination or labeling violations to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture at (615) 837-5100.