SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) -- An Iowa company is buying a Nebraska-based chain of farm and ranch supply stores.

An official with The Mercantile says the sale to Sioux City, Iowa-based Bomgaars is effective March 1. The sales price was not disclosed.

The Mercantile has Nebraska stores in Scottsbluff, Alliance, Bridgeport and other towns. It also has a store in Torrington, Wyo.; stores in Brighton and Loveland, Colo.; and a store in Spearfish, S.D.

Chuck Weinreis is a controlling partner with The Mercantile. He told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald in a Tuesday story that employees will have a chance to continue at their stores.

He described the sale as a "business decision."

Bomgaars says it has 48 farm, lawn and garden stores in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and South Dakota. Their strong presence in Northwest Iowa makes this company even stronger in our region.