MDA Advises Farmers with Ties to Hansen-Mueller Co. to File Claims

Minnesota indemnity fund to help mitigate producer losses

St. Paul, MN: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is issuing an advisory to farmers who have conducted business with Hansen-Mueller Co. based in Omaha, NE and operating in Duluth, MN. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 17, 2025. Producers who have not received payment from Hansen-Mueller for grain sold in Minnesota are encouraged to submit a claim with the MDA. Farmers with warehouse receipts for grain in storage will need to contact the United States Department of Agriculture at [email protected].

In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature created an indemnity fund. This fund is to protect Minnesota producers who have unpaid grain sales when grain buyers or warehouses become financially insolvent. To submit a claim to the indemnity fund, farmers will need to take the following steps:

1. Complete a Grain Proof of Claim form.
2. Include supporting evidence such as scale tickets, purchase agreements, purchase receipts, non-sufficient funds checks, contracts, warehouse receipts, assembly sheets, etc.
3. Send in the form and supporting evidence by email to [email protected] or mail to:

Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Fruit, Vegetable & Grain Unit
625 North Robert St.
St Paul, MN 55155

Farmers should submit a claim as soon as possible. Valid claims may be scaled down based on the age of the contract.

The MDA will review all submitted claims, associated paperwork, internal documents, and records from inspector visits to determine which claims are valid as part of our program integrity efforts to prevent fraud and protect our farmers.

Questions on grain claim process can be directed to Christine Mader at 651-201-6011 or [email protected], or Nick Milanowski at 651-201-6076 or [email protected].

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