You’re looking toward a future that’s even more profitable for your operation and strategic for your agribusiness. However, when you’re in harvest or calving season, there’s no time to focus on anything but the task at hand. An ag relationship manager has specific agriculture industry expertise to answer questions and support planning for today and the future—to help you stay on track, no matter what time of year. 

Find out more as Lee Irvine, Ag Sector Director, Beef & Cattle, and other agribusiness team members talk about the benefits of having a dedicated ag relationship manager at the table along with your other business advisors.  

What can an ag relationship manager do for you?

An ag relationship manager will sit down and be part of the conversation for future growth or expansion of your business, whether that’s buying the land next door you've been renting for the past 10 years or expanding your herd by buying more cattle or adding more bunk space. They’ll take the time to understand your operations and plans, go over the current financial results of your farm and work with you to provide tailored advice and solutions.

“In today’s cattle markets, producers are looking at more efficient ways to produce beef and get the most out of their land while still maintaining the long-term viability of their operation,” Irvine says. “These could be adjusting rotational grazing plans, backgrounding calves or entering a new segment such as purebred or grassing short-keep cattle.

“Producers need to consider external factors as well, such as current markets, consumer demand and beef production, both domestically and internationally, and trade restrictions. An ag relationship manager brings all those levels of insights to the discussion.”

Industry expertise

Just like your professional advisors (accountant, lawyer or transition consultant) have their areas of expertise, an ag relationship manager is a specialist, one who knows Alberta agriculture and what it means to operate here. They bring deep sector and ag industry knowledge to help you make informed financial decisions that reflect the current economy and trends—and your vision for the future, says Amanda Feldbusch, an Ag Relationship Manager at ATB. 

“Being raised around the beef industry my whole life and knowing the challenges that a beef producer can go through allows me to provide that advice,” says Amanda. “I can deliver the right tools and flexible solutions producers need to succeed because I understand where they are.”

Depending on your situation, an ag relationship manager will make product recommendations to support your farm or ranch, including equipment financing, lines of credit to navigate seasonal cash flow needs—through the growing season or until the calves are sold, for example—plus saving and investment options for the future, she notes. 

Ag relationship managers also access additional support for your operation with industry experts such as beef specialists, succession planners, farm management consultants, and agrologists.

First-hand insights

Your ag relationship manager understands trade environments and what that means for current and future cash flow, from their own experience. 

“I'm a third-generation grain farmer,” shares Ag Relationship Manager Kyle Sawatzky. “ATB allows me the flexibility to both work on our family farm where we crop 1,250 acres of canola, barley and wheat, and work with great agriculture producers in the area I cover.

“I've found farmers and ranchers are drawn to that fact and feel more comfortable in our initial meeting when I can say I've been in their position."

Build your legacy

With the number of family-run farms and cattle operations across Canada dropping each year, both older and younger generations are feeling the strain when looking ahead.

“The way the markets are, the older generations are selling out as they might not have that successor to take over. This has put pressure on younger beef producers to expand their herds and find more grazing land,” says Feldbusch. 

An ag relationship manager can provide the timely insights, financial solutions and services to help you develop a succession plan or plan to grow your operation for a sustainable future for generations to come. 

Flexibility for real-life farming

We know agriculture is not a 9 to 5 job, but a lifestyle—one that doesn’t play by the same limits and timelines as the corporate world. At ATB, all aspects of the bank operate at a local level. Your ag relationship manager meets you where you are to help find the right financing, customized to what you need. 

We understand Alberta agriculture because this is where we do business. Connect with us to learn more about our team of experts and how they can empower you to achieve your business goals.