Grainswest - Spring 2026

Spring 2026 Grains West 26 This includes outsourcing human resources to dedicated, specialized professionals. The operation’s structure and mindset also encourage mentorship between experienced staff and younger employees. This includes members of the next generation of the founding families. “In the collaborative spirit of why we formed in the first place, we actively encourage younger family members to get involved, bring forward new ideas and take ownership, giving them the freedom to be creative,” said Van Tryp. EFFICIENCY THROUGH DIVERSITY Between Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, the Bow Island area in the County of Forty Mile supports a wide range of high value and specialty crop production. With its sandy loam soils and a high-heat growing season, the region is well suited to irrigation and intensive cropping. It receives roughly 300 to 350 millimetres of precipitation annually and averages about 125 frost- free days, with long daylight hours and cool evenings. Quattro leverages these natural strengths as it employs a wide crop mix to maximize efficiency. With this diversity of specialty and commodity acres spread across its land base, crop rotation is optimized for soil and crop productivity. Seeding and harvest are staggered, which aids the planning and co-ordination of field work, management of labour, the purchase and employment of inputs as well as equipment maintenance. Quattro’s resident agronomist for the last six years, Emily Ford said the scale of the operation allows staff to specialize. Farming co-operatively aids efficiency, but its diversity and scale also generate complexity. To manage all the farm’s parts, people and processes requires constant co-ordination supported by digital tools and careful tracking. She relies on approximately 15 farm management apps. Ford noted Quattro annually gathers formal employee feedback and uses the information to improve processes and address challenges. The approach contributes to efficiency but also to employee retention. “Quattro’s leadership is made up of entrepreneurs and innovators, and, as an employee, it’s empowering to be encouraged to think outside of the box and try new things.” She has taken the approach to heart. Tasked by the board to explore the possible addition of catnip to the crop roster, she followed the venture’s decision-making process. She conducted research and presented her ideas to Van Tryp, who then informed the board a 300-acre test plot would be sown. “And now we specialize in another niche market—catnip,” said Ford. “That’s one of our key strengths: the ability to focus and excel in specialized markets.” Ford is proud of her contributions to Quattro. “We are constantly capitalizing on new marketing opportunities, improving yields and delivering consistent quality. It’s all thanks to the progressive, open mindset of the venture.” SPECIALIZATION ADDS VALUE Quattro’s diversity is strategic. Its specialty and contract crops can be priced ahead of the growing season or tied to multi-year contracts with built- in pricing mechanisms. This approach is key to the farm’s risk management strategy. “We look at these diverse crop types as our workhorses that allow us to venture out into new crop types while maintaining profitability,” said Van Tryp. An aspect of this specialization, he added, many acres are dedicated to FEATURE “We are constantly capitalizing on new marketing opportunities, improving yields and delivering consistent quality. It’s all thanks to the progressive, open mindset of the venture.” —Emily Ford