Today, The Arthur Companies announced it has purchased the assets of AgriMax and Right Way Ag Aerial Spraying.
AgriMax is an independent agronomy-based ag retail business with two locations—Fisher and Fertile, MN. It was founded in 1998 and had a merger with Ross Seed Company in 2009. Its footprint covers the Red River valley serving hundreds of customers with seed, crop protection, custom application and seed conditioning.
“AgriMax is a great fit for The Arthur Companies because its culture and how they’ve served growers,” says James Burgum, CEO of The Arthur Companies. “We are two independent businesses that have competed to earn growers’ business and trust—first and foremost.”
This acquisition expands the company’s geographic footprint into Minnesota.
“This is a grower base we’re excited to work with,” Burgum says. “It’s new territory for us in Minnesota, but we’ve had our eyes on it for some time. We believe we can provide competitive alternatives for growers.”
Burgum is referring to Arthur’s bid to buy West Central Ag, which was acquired by CHS in 2024.
Right Way Ag Aerial Spraying is based in Casselton, North Dakota. Founded in 2019 by Matt Hovdenes, who will continue as chief pilot, its service geography spans the Red River Valley. Its aerial application services will be paired with retail business provided by AgriMax. Both companies will be rebranded. AgriMax as The Arthur Companies, and Right Way Ag Aerial Spraying will become Arthur Aviation.
“We’ve made the decision to grow. And growth is a choice,” Burgum says. “This is about growing into markets where we want to be a competitor, and competition is good for growers.”
While the AgriMax acquisition doesn’t include grain, which has been a foundational division of The Arthur Company’s business–Burgum says there are natural overlaps in the agronomy business, seed conditioning, and wheat breeding/research divisions.
“Arthur Companies is continuing to look for growth and bring our model of local decision making, family values, local empowerment to other parts of the northern tier,” Burgum says. “We’ve consistently invested back into our business—through good times and bad. We’ve learned through our 120 year history, for us, we need to invest through all the cycles. And we’ll come through this in a stronger position together. We aren’t going to take our foot off the gas.”
