Cultivating Ag Growth for Canada’s Economy

Agri-business has a long history as a cornerstone of the Canadian economy and in today’s new world, its position as an essential service is even more evident. New realities, global and domestic, threaten the status quo. Canada has been losing ground in both export markets and at home. But the opportunities are there for agri-business to emerge as one of Canada’s economic drivers.

At Osborne Interim Management we understand the issues, the challenges and the opportunities. With our team of experienced executives and our agri-business background, we can help our clients manage the challenges and create solutions for success.

Agri-Business Challenges

Scarce labour and management resources
Securing financing for new ventures, new technologies and expansions
Marketing to address the growing gap between producer and consumer
Mergers and acquisitions
Traceability, food safety and security
Sustainability of current practices in agriculture and agri-processing
Changing policies and trade agreements with respect to supply management and government programs
NGO special interest groups
Changing food trends and dietary concerns

Agri-Business Opportunties

Value chain development to build competitive advantage
Precision agriculture, big data and other technologies like drones and satellite imagery
Investment in R&D to foster innovation and exploit new technologies
Drive productivity and sustainability with innovation and leading management practices
Adapt to evolving domestic market demographics to compete against imports; buy local initiatives
Embrace trade agreements to expand markets
Accessing government grants and programs
Next generation economies – bio, organic, health, green, sustainable
Identity preserved crops
Focus on healthy eating and lifestyles as a link to resolving health care crisis

Representative Case Studies

A Large National Digital Information, Event and Services Provider Needed a New Business Plan

Osborne Implemented a Synergistic Approach to an Executive Director Position for an Ag Association

Osborne Provided Executive Advisement to an Industry Foundation that was Questioning its Relevance and Whether to Hire New Leadership

The Largest Manufacturer and Distributor of Tofu Products in Canada Needed Someone in a Project Leadership Role to Work with its CEO and Management Team as the Company Approached a Transitional Phase in its Corporate Development and Growth

An Unfavourable Relationship with an Agent, Including Undervalued Pricing, was a Challenge for an Ag Manufacturing Company

When an Ag Sector Company Underwent a Major Expansion of its Facility Unforeseen Issues Resulted in a Temporary Shutdown of Operations and Loss of Revenue

A Bio Products Company Required Assistance to Commercialize its Manufacturing Process, Reduce Production Costs and Provide Product Quality That Was Consistent

An Osborne Principal Was Engaged in the Role of Mentor to Transition the Existing Junior Accountant into a Controller Role at a Manufacturing Company

Norm Dreger

Over 30 years of experience in the agri-business sector.

Jim Smolik

Over 40 years experience in the agri-business sector.

Mark Olson

Strategic planning and analysis and rich understanding of the farm to fork continuum.

Dave Quist

Team leadership and board development.

Grant Halford

Business leadership in ag R&D, manufacturing, wholesaling, and financing.

Yvonne Thevenot

A transformation specialist with subject matter expertise in agriculture.

Kevin Broadworth

Over 35 years of experience in agri-business sector.

Have Questions?

Please contact us if you have any questions about how our team can help.

I want to express our gratitude and my gratitude for how Mark Olson of Osborne Interim Management has led us through the last six months. There is no denying his expertise is exactly what we needed and has us on the even footing we needed to pass the baton to our first ever Alberta Grains Executive Director. Thank you isn’t enough but I say it most sincerely.

Tara Sawyer – Chair, Interim Board of Directors, Alberta Grains
“Osborne effectively employed a team approach in assisting our company with several significant projects in 2021. Their ability to communicate with stakeholders internally and externally really helped our leadership team validate and focus our needs.”

Bob Wilcox – President, Glacier FarmMedia
“Osborne Interim Management provided invaluable assistance to us as we merged three different operating entities into the new 4-H Alberta. Mark Olson as Interim CEO of the 4-H Foundation and Judy Williams as communications strategist played a significant role in our transformation and I would highly recommend their/Osborne’s services.”

Kim McConnell – Former Interim CEO, 4-H Alberta
“We engaged Osborne Interim Management to assess the capacity of our Canadian Operations in the wake of ambitious five year growth plans. Not only did the Osborne Principals deliver a thorough report, but they provided us with valuable tools to undertake ongoing analysis and forecasting based on a number of Canadian market variables.”

Elias Partyka – Director of Global Marketing, Gowan Company, Yuma Arizona
“We engaged Osborne to undertake a thorough assessment of our business and the marketplace which involved interviewing multiple stakeholders in the development of a five year strategic plan. We were more than pleased with the results and wouldn’t hesitate to refer the quality of their work to others.”

Dave Hansen – President & CEO, CANTERRA SEEDS
“We contracted Osborne Interim Management to help transition our Foundation into the future with stronger processes, plans and leadership. We were very pleased with the results and would highly recommend their work.”

Reiny Kristel – Board Chair, Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation
“The Osborne Principals our business has engaged have delivered important support to our business in a number of areas and provided excellent value.”

Barry Schmitt – President, Barr-Ag
“Over the course of five years we used Osborne’s interim management services in the areas of marketing, IT, human resources, finance and overall executive advisement. Their work has been a key to the overall development of our business.”

Tasha Schmaltz – General Manager, DynAgra Corp
“We’ve been using Osborne Interim Management as an executive resource for over seven years now, in finance, operations and marketing. They’ve been very responsive to our needs and have delivered executives that work very well with our management team.”

Tim Wiens – CEO, O & T Farms

Proven Success

Barr-Ag – Hay & Grain Exporters

Barr-Ag farms over 31,000 acres throughout Alberta with the principal export being forage crops, timothy and alfalfa hay. It sells into Korea, Japan, Taiwan, UAE, UK and the US. The Osborne Principals assessed the current state of the business, reviewed the existing strategic plan and identified areas for improvement and prioritized implementation. They also mentored the sons who have been brought into the business full-time in senior management roles.

Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation

It was first organized in 1980 by members comprising of ranchers, farmers and individuals who wanted to commemorate the Canadian livestock industry. Osborne facilitated Board sessions to confirm purpose and objectives, business model sustainability and opportunities for growth and increased relevance.

Western Canadian Wheat Growers

A voluntary farm advocacy association dedicated to developing policy solutions that strengthen the profitability and sustainability of farming and the agricultural industry. Employing a synergistic team approach, Osborne supports all functions associated with the responsibilities of a not-for-profit Executive Director, including policy development, stakeholder relations, revenue growth, communications and accounting. These tasks are performed by various team members who have the required and relevant specialized skill sets.

Our Ag Clients

We’re proud of the work we’ve done on behalf of our agricultural clients. To view our industry client list, please click here.

Agrifoods International Cooperative
Alberta Grains
Alberta Pulse Growers
Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions
AVAC
Barr-Ag
CANTERRA Seeds
DynAgra Corporation
Gowan
Hallet’s Hay and Seed
Nufarm
OPI Systems
Parallel Ag
Stockmens Memorial Foundation
Syngenta Canada
Wheat Growers Association

Representative Ag Assignments

Executive Director, Western Canadian Industry Association
Go-to-Market Process Assessment, Canadian Division of Global Crop Protection Company
Strategic Plan Development, Ranching Industry Association
Marketing Manager, Ag Services
Interim VP of Engineering and Research, Bio-Products
Interim Plant Manager, Food
Facilitated Strategic Planning Process, Agri-Business Co-op
Mentor and Strategic Advisor, Agri-Processing
Interim VP of Corporate Development, Bio-Fuels
Senior Financial Assessment, Agri-Processing
Compensation Review, Ag Services
Interim HR Manager, Food
Interim Director of Operations, Food

Cultivating Ag Growth for Canada’s Economy

Agri-Business Challenges

Agri-Business Opportunties

Representative Case Studies

Who Can Help

Norm Dreger

Jim Smolik

Mark Olson

Dave Quist

Grant Halford

Yvonne Thevenot

Kevin Broadworth

Tara Sawyer – Chair, Interim Board of Directors, Alberta Grains

“Osborne effectively employed a team approach in assisting our company with several significant projects in 2021. Their ability to communicate with stakeholders internally and externally really helped our leadership team validate and focus our needs.”

Bob Wilcox – President, Glacier FarmMedia

Kim McConnell – Former Interim CEO, 4-H Alberta

Elias Partyka – Director of Global Marketing, Gowan Company, Yuma Arizona

Dave Hansen – President & CEO, CANTERRA SEEDS

“We contracted Osborne Interim Management to help transition our Foundation into the future with stronger processes, plans and leadership. We were very pleased with the results and would highly recommend their work.”

Reiny Kristel – Board Chair, Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation

“The Osborne Principals our business has engaged have delivered important support to our business in a number of areas and provided excellent value.”

Barry Schmitt – President, Barr-Ag

“Over the course of five years we used Osborne’s interim management services in the areas of marketing, IT, human resources, finance and overall executive advisement. Their work has been a key to the overall development of our business.”

Tasha Schmaltz – General Manager, DynAgra Corp

“We’ve been using Osborne Interim Management as an executive resource for over seven years now, in finance, operations and marketing. They’ve been very responsive to our needs and have delivered executives that work very well with our management team.”