A Legacy of Passion for the Camelid Industry

For over 35 years, Bob and Jo Riley have been committed to providing high-quality minerals for the llama and alpaca communities, with Stillwater Minerals, the oldest provider of "Free Choice" minerals, formulated by leading experts in the field of camelid nutrition.

"I became attached to llamas and alpacas. I enjoyed the business and the people who own these animals," Riley says. "My wife and I invested deeply in our business, especially me, and I struggle with retirement."

Anyone who has the opportunity to talk to the Riley's can feel their passion for Stillwater Minerals and the community they've built with llama and alpaca owners. They continue to stay committed to educating owners and ensuring their animals receive the best nutritional care possible.

Life on the Trail

Riley's connection to llamas began long before he founded Stillwater. When his sons were young, Riley enjoyed taking them backpacking in Colorado. As they grew older and went off to college, he realized that he was on his own.

"I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about a guy that used llamas for backpacking," Riley recalls. "A llama can carry up to 100 pounds, and you can hike with them in pairs. So, my wife and I moved to Colorado, where we had around 60 llamas. Over five years, I hiked 1,400 miles on the continental divide with them, and also hiked from Denver to Durango."

"One time, I was hiking a trail, leading the llamas on a leash like you would a dog, and they seemed to enjoy it as much as I did," Riley recalls. "As I admired the view from a ridge, one of the llamas came up, put its head on my shoulder, and let out a sign, like it was enjoying the view too."

A Commitment to Quality Nutrition

In 1983, the Riley's bought a mineral business from another husband and wife team that owned a ranch named Stillwater, hence the name. The husband worked for a nutrition blending company, and his wife, looking for something to do, decided to start making minerals for llamas.

At the time, Riley was a llama owner and came across one of their ads, purchasing minerals to improve the health of his herd. When he later learned that the couple planned to close their business, Riley reached out to see if they’d be willing to sell. Within two days, he was in Ohio with a contract, ready to take over.

"Our products have made the llama and alpaca industry much more healthy," Riley says. "You can tell the people who use our product versus those who don't."

While living in Colorado, the Riley's were just a short distance from the University of Colorado Veterinary School in Fort Collins. Wanting to expand the business, Riley became close friends with Dr. LaRue Johnson, who had helped the previous owners develop the original formula, known as the 101. Together, Riley and Dr. Johnson created Formula 102, designed specifically for llamas with added electrolytes. They also developed Formula 104, which included electrolytes and was tailor-made for alpacas.

Curious about where the formulas were blended, he learned that the previous owners had used Nutra Blend in Neosho, Missouri, as one of the companies. Riley has continued working with them ever since purchasing the company, and now Valley Vet does business with them as well.

"You can find blenders everywhere, but for high-quality vitamins and minerals done right, you go with a custom blender," Riley explains. "They blend it to our specifications and don't make it for anyone else."

Building a Community

While owning Stillwater Minerals, the Riley's became deeply involved in the llama and alpaca community. They were active in the largest llama and alpaca organization in the country at the time and ran the largest national llama and alpaca show association.

"I became a source of information for llama and alpaca owners," Riley says. "Someone I just met might start asking about an issue they were having with their animal or seeking guidance." Over time, Riley began adding education content to his emails, addressing common questions and providing season-specific advice.

In 1999, the Riley's moved back to the Kansas City area, where they continued running Stillwater Minerals from their backyard. In addition to Stillwater, Riley's family also operates a shop that produces suppressors, a business that began with Aerocharger turbo technology inherited from Riley's father. However, Riley never felt the same passion for these other ventures as he did for Stillwater, so he passed his position in the company on to his son.

A Bittersweet Goodbye

In 2024, the Riley's stepped away from Stillwater Minerals, and Valley Vet Supply began producing and selling their products.

"I cried when Omar Hinojosa, Valley Vet Supply's President, left with all our stuff," Riley says. "But I have to say, Valley Vet is a quality company and I was thoroughly impressed with the employees during the tour Omar gave me."

"With veterinarians and pharmacists on their team, Valley Vet is ready to answer any questions llama and alpaca owners may have," Riley says. "They continue to provide the same high-quality products we've been producing all along."