
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
Who Can Help
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.
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 Pulse Growers
- AVAC
- Barr-Ag
- CANTERRA Seeds
- DynAgra Corporation
- OPI Systems
- Syngenta Canada
- Stockmens Memorial Foundation
- Western Canadian 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