Introducing Allied Marketing Group

May 2019 • About Allied Marketing Group.

We are a group of six feedlot operators that work together in southern Alberta’s feedlot industry.

We partner together, sharing information, analytics and metrics to push ourselves and our peers to greater heights within the industry. We believe you can go fast alone, but further together.

At AMG, we have three core principles: Learn. Grow. Enjoy.

Above all, we take pride in what we do. We believe in creating healthy, well-rounded places of employment, nurturing strong relationships with friends and family, and seeking out the best in life. After all, why run a business if you’re not passionate about it?

All of us at AMG pride ourselves in loving what we do and feel good about the workplaces we have helped create.

Shawn Murray

Shawn Murray is a third-generation farmer who operates JF Murray Farms near Picture Butte. His grandfather came to farm the land in the early 1900s. His father Jim continued the farming tradition with his brothers before Shawn took over the farm in 1988.

Ryan Kasko

Ryan Kasko is the CEO of Kasko Cattle Company, a family feedlot operation. Ryan grew up on an acreage around Lethbridge, and attended the University of Lethbridge, where he majored in business. Though he did not grow up on a farm, Ryan’s father was a cattle buyer, and in 1997, Ryan, his brother and his father bought their first feedlot.

Les Wall

Les Wall is the owner and CEO of KCL Cattle Company Ltd. Les grew up on a farm with cattle in the Coaldale area. He always enjoyed working with cattle and feeding cattle, and he farmed with his brothers and father.

Ed Stronks

Ed Stronks operates Stronks Feedlot Ltd. outside of Picture Butte, the same area he grew up in. His passion for cattle started when he was a child, as his father farmed and fed cattle. As a young man, Ed went to work for feedlots in the area and found he had a love for the business.

Leighton Kolk

Leighton Kolk is well-known by those familiar with the beef industry in southern Alberta. He grew up in Picture Butte and attended The King’s University in Edmonton. Leighton grew up farming alongside his parents who owned a poultry operation, a cow-calf operation and hay land.

John Lawton

John is a third generation agricultural producer with more than 30 years in the cattle business and extensive knowledge of cattle feeding, procurement and risk management. John attended Olds College, graduating from the Agriculture Production program.

Greg Van Vaerenbergh

Originally from a mixed family farm west of Picture Butte, Alta., Greg has a deep connection to livestock and farming. He earned his farm and ranch production diploma from Olds College (1981) and by 1993 he and his wife Laurel started their own feedlot/farm business.

Shawn Murray

Shawn Murray is a third-generation farmer who operates JF Murray Farms near Picture Butte. His grandfather came to farm the land in the early 1900s. His father Jim continued the farming tradition with his brothers before Shawn took over the farm in 1988.

Ryan Kasko

Ryan Kasko is the CEO of Kasko Cattle Company, a family feedlot operation. Ryan grew up on an acreage around Lethbridge, and attended the University of Lethbridge, where he majored in business. Though he did not grow up on a farm, Ryan’s father was a cattle buyer, and in 1997, Ryan, his brother and his father bought their first feedlot.

Les Wall

Les Wall is the owner and CEO of KCL Cattle Company Ltd. Les grew up on a farm with cattle in the Coaldale area. He always enjoyed working with cattle and feeding cattle, and he farmed with his brothers and father.

Ed Stronks

Ed Stronks operates Stronks Feedlot Ltd. outside of Picture Butte, the same area he grew up in. His passion for cattle started when he was a child, as his father farmed and fed cattle. As a young man, Ed went to work for feedlots in the area and found he had a love for the business.

Leighton Kolk

Leighton Kolk is well-known by those familiar with the beef industry in southern Alberta. He grew up in Picture Butte and attended The King’s University in Edmonton. Leighton grew up farming alongside his parents who owned a poultry operation, a cow-calf operation and hay land.

John Lawton

John is a third generation agricultural producer with more than 30 years in the cattle business and extensive knowledge of cattle feeding, procurement and risk management. John attended Olds College, graduating from the Agriculture Production program.

Greg Van Vaerenbergh

Originally from a mixed family farm west of Picture Butte, Alta., Greg has a deep connection to livestock and farming. He earned his farm and ranch production diploma from Olds College (1981) and by 1993 he and his wife Laurel started their own feedlot/farm business.

Paul Erickson

Paul has been involved in agriculture all of his life. He was raised in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan where his family farmed and owned the Massey Ferguson dealership. Growing up, he worked both at the dealership and the farm Being from a small town he was active in sports – hockey, baseball, and football.

AMG welcomes new member

The Allied Marketing Group has started off the decade with a fresh start. All five members are busy as can be with their own personal ventures as well as their group collaboration through AMG.

The...

AMG welcomes new member

The Allied Marketing Group has started off the decade with a fresh start. All five members are busy as can be with their own personal ventures as well...

Paul Erickson Biography

Paul Erickson is the purchasing manager for the Allied Marketing Group.

Paul was born and raised on a grain farm near Strasbourg, Sask. As a young man, he attended the University of Saskatchewan where...

Paul Erickson Biography

Paul Erickson is the purchasing manager for the Allied Marketing Group.

Paul was born and raised on a grain farm near Strasbourg, Sask. As a young...

A decade of collaboration at AMG

The five men who make up AMG were brought together by Bruce Mitschke, who worked with them individually through Elanco’s analysis software Benchmark. The five men in AMG all own feedlots within a...

A decade of collaboration at AMG

The five men who make up AMG were brought together by Bruce Mitschke, who worked with them individually through Elanco’s analysis software Benchmark....