Last updated on September 30th, 2025 at 03:51 pm
In this behind-the-scenes video, Daryl, our Supply Chain Manager, walks you through the entire Riomax production process — from formulation at our Redwood Falls, Minnesota headquarters, to blending the key ingredients, and finally cooking and curing at our partner plants.
While other tubs may look similar on the outside, the real difference is in what’s inside. Riomax tubs are powered by our unique premix and key ingredients that deliver performance, efficiency, and value to your herd.
Where Do Riomax Tubs Come From? A Look Inside the Production Process
Ranchers are naturally cautious when it comes to products that claim to make a difference in cattle performance. One of the most common questions about Riomax is simple: “Where do the tubs come from, and how are they made?”
Here’s a straightforward look at how Riomax lick tubs are produced, from start to finish.
Step 1: It Starts in Redwood Falls, Minnesota
Every Riomax tub begins at the company’s headquarters in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. This is where all the premix formulations are developed and where the key ingredients are carefully blended. Riomax uses a computerized batching system to ensure consistency from one batch to the next.
This premix is the foundation of every Riomax tub. Once it’s ready, it’s shipped out to partner plants that handle the next stage of production.
Step 2: Partnering with Specialized Cook Plants
The partner plants specialize in cooking molasses and blending it with the dry ingredients from Riomax’s premix. The mixture is then cured and hardened into a solid tub that can withstand weather and reduce waste.
Think of these plants like an oven. An oven can bake all kinds of things—cookies, bread, or casseroles—but the recipe determines the outcome. In the same way, these cook plants make tubs for different brands, but what goes into a Riomax tub is controlled entirely by Riomax.
Step 3: What Makes Riomax Different
At a glance, most cooked molasses tubs look alike. They’re usually brown, solid, and slightly grainy. But looks can be deceiving. Performance doesn’t come from appearance; it comes from the formula.
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Riomax provides its own proprietary blend of key ingredients.
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The cook plants don’t have input into the recipe—they simply carry out the process.
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That’s why two tubs baked in the same “oven” can perform very differently in the pasture.
Clearing Up Common Misconceptions
It’s not unusual for ranchers to assume Riomax tubs are the same as other brands since they can be produced in the same facilities. Here are the facts:
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“Isn’t this the same as Vitalix or other tubs?”
No. While the plants may also produce other brands, Riomax’s proprietary premix is unique and originates only from their Minnesota headquarters. -
“If they look the same, aren’t they the same?”
Not at all. The real difference is in the formulation, not the color or texture of the tub.
Why This Matters for Ranchers
The important point is that Riomax maintains control over what goes into its tubs. The partner plants are simply the equipment and hands that finish the job. For ranchers weighing mineral options, this distinction matters: tubs may look alike, but they don’t all perform the same.
The Bottom Line
Even though Riomax tubs are cooked and cured in facilities that also produce other brands, every Riomax tub starts with a carefully measured premix made in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. That’s the difference in how they’re built—and it’s the reason many ranchers say they see results that pay for themselves.