How It All Started...
In 1993, a group of four individuals, all with varying areas of expertise and experience came together with plans to build a 1,200 sow Farrow to Wean Operation. This group was compromised of Herb Holoboff, Wouter Beekman, Bruce Tona and Ciaran Ormond.
Herb Holoboff owned a feed mill in Lacombe, Alberta. He was interested in expanding his feed base and wanted to invest in a pig operation.
Wouter Beekman owned a 300 (NDP) Genex Multiplier Unit. Wouter wanted to expand his customer base and was also at a crossroads on whether to expand his operation or invest with a different group.
Bruce Tona owned 1,800 acres and a Purebred Charlais Herd. this farming operation also involved his two sons. They were very interested in the manure as a cheaper source of fertilizer and they also wanted to invest and diversify their enterprise.
Ciaran Ormond had worked on various pig farms in Ireland and England and had completed a two year Advanced Pig Husbandry Course at the Usk Agricultural College in Wales. He had been previously working for a 1500 sow breeding stock operation in Bentley, Alberta but was looking for an operation with opportunity and ownership.
Combined, they had all the elements needed for a successful business:
Feed - Herb Holoboff
Stock - Wouter Beekman
Land & Manure - Bruce Tona
Management & Pig Experience - Ciaran Ormond
More on the Four Partners...
The Principles
