Grower Success Stories
Agri-Trend is proud of our 92% client retention ratio for 4 years running. Here are a few comments from some of our clients dealing with a wide range of client types, and many different sizes of operations.
Lorne Muller
Sinclair River Bison
Minitonas, Manitoba
Agri-Coach: Ryan Immerkar
Lorne Muller has just finished his sixth year with Agri-Trend. Muller produces grass seed, canola and wheat on 2,400 acres of crop land, plus runs a bison operation.
I came to realize I don’t need to know everything about everything. I just need to know somebody that knows what I don’t know, and get good unbiased information. That’s where Agri-Trend fits in nicely. They’ve got the most knowledgeable Network of information available in this country." says Muller, who operates Sinclair River Bison near Minitonas, Manitoba.
I grow Timothy seed and looking for information on fertility on seed production versus hay was difficult. Nobody was knowledgeable with that locally, but I was able to tap into their Network and talk to people that had some experience with it," he says.
We’re always looking at pushing the window. Over the last half dozen years, we’ve raised the bar. What we used to consider a really good crop is now an average crop. We’re always looking to make every acre pay a little more. "I’m very pleased with the service. It reinforces that I’m on the right track."
Irwin Kuhn
Acadia Valley, Alberta
Agri-Coach: Matt Gosling
Irwin Kuhn manages a 21,000 acre farm near Acadia Valley Alberta, and is a client of Agri-Coach Matt Gosling.
Previously, I had not been getting good results from the soil sample recommendations I was paying for, and the yield performance of my land had not been improving. When fertilizer prices increased rapidly, I needed to change something. I looked at several options, and Matt Gosling came highly recommended, and with the Agri-Trend Network backing him, so that’s the solution we chose.”
“We really enjoyed developing an overall strategic plan for our land base, and then moved into more field specific planning, which involved many new ideas. Accurate seed placement was critical, and then a complete balanced fertilizer program matched to a specific yield goal. The yield performance definitely responded, and the crop hung on surprisingly well through the August drought.”
“We have typically chem-fallowed 20% of our farm every year, but are confident we now know how to manage moisture efficiency and successfully crop 100% of our land base every year even in this very dry area.”
Wayne Husak
Wheatland Farm Co.
Neepawa, Manitoba
My name is Wayne Husak. I operate a moderately sized grains, oilseeds, and pulses farm in western Manitoba. Our farm started with ATAL in 2003. At that time, grain prices where not at the lofty levels they are now. We were looking to bring some efficiency into our operation. I felt that the land had more to offer. We farm several different soil types, and the wide brush approach didn’t seem to be working the way I felt it should. Soil management and fertility was always an issue (we all have ground that we know should do better, but can’t seem to get a handle on). That is were ATAL comes in to the picture. ”
“I, like many producers, signed on with some trepidation (for one thing, we are very independent, and figure we can fix this ourselves…not so). There is a wealth of knowledge out there, and we, as producers need to access this if we are to survive long term. ”
“ In 2003, independent agrology was a relatively new phenomenon for prairie farmers. Not so these days. In the space of a few short years, we have seen public involvement in our best interests diminish. That is where independent agrology comes in to the picture. ”
“ In recent years, commodity agriculture was thought to be all but dead. The cost of production has soared, farm debt is at an all time high and Government had changed policy to reflect that opinion (much public money has been reallocated to get to get us to manufacture widgets instead of do what we know best). It’s a bit like complaining to your rural municipality about a drainage issue…and they finally fix it in a drought year! ”
“ I’m getting a bit off track here. I have been asked to comment on ATAL’s services as a client. Agri Trend has helped our operation make more informed decisions for our farm. As a producer, we often wonder if the decisions we make are appropriate. We are inundated with add material that has an agenda. ATAL has an approach that makes sense for your own farm (just because the airplane is flying over your neighbor’s farm does NOT mean that you need to!) ”
“ Information, that’s what it’s all about these days. Our world has changed dramatically in recent times. ATAL is an integral part of my management team. The whole process starts with a soil test, but leads to much more. Those tests are the beginnings of a winter long process of planning and preparation with my accountant, banker, broker, and suppliers. ”
“With that in mind, I would encourage producers to contact there nearest Agri-Coach to discuss there hopes and dreams for their own family and farm.”
