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The five partners who make up AMG, came together as likeminded individuals that operated feedlots all within a 100- kilometer radius of each other in Southern Alberta. They met for supper in Lethbridge in 2010 to discuss the possibility of collaboration. Each feedlot owner would maintain their own operation, but they could pool their ideas, information, and resources and work together as a peer mentoring group. The idea proved to be successful, and the group incorporated in 2014.
Since its inception, AMG’s culture has been based on honesty and transparency. The five operators try to help each other and frequently discuss their business decisions with each other. Members of the group freely share their business strategies in order to promote mutual growth and achieve greater industry success.
Honest, open dialogue keeps the group working and makes it valuable for everyone. AMG has since added a sixth partner who joined in 2019. The group holds monthly meetings to discuss business and often brings in guest speakers or different people bringing something unique to the industry. All of the members have been able to transform their own independent operations, while growing together as a group.
AMG hired a commodity buyer to purchase grains for all of the operations to maximize purchasing options. This has proven to be a positive experience, and the commodity team is growing. AMG leverages bulk rates when purchasing pharmaceuticals, corn and canola seed, silage plastic, fertilizer and crop chemicals.
Every year, the group takes a trip together to a new place in the world to meet and learn from people inside and outside of the cattle industry. They’ve travelled to Quebec, Washington STATE, Colorado, Cailfornia, Texas, Oklahoma and most recently, Europe. They approach agriculture with open minds and are always ready to learn, believing that anyone who has achieved success has something to share, whether it’s related to cattle feeding or other sectors within agriculture.
In 2023, AMG saw an opportunity to lease three more yards in the Picture Butte Area. These feedlots, known as Allied Cattle Company, have been a fun and challenging venture for AMG and further solidifies this group.
Since all the AMG members have adult children involved, AMG has a “Next Gen” component, and this group also meets monthly to look for new opportunities and learn from each other. The “Next Gen” have also begun to take trips together yearly. Allied Cattle Company is run by an operating board made up of AMG’s next generation.
The feedlot industry is a tough business, and all the AMG owners have had to face challenges within their operation. When they fall on hard times, being able to lean on each other has become a great advantage.
People often mention that these owners are competing for the same cattle and resources, but they’ve found that the culture of cooperation and peer mentorship has suited them well, and they share in their success and learn from their challenges together.