Ryan Thompson

Ryan Thompson, owns and operates Living Sky Beef, near Minton, SK. He and wife Leanne were nominated as one of the top two finalists for the 2014 Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmers Award. Ryan grew up in the beef industry being raised on a mixed farm near Carnduff. Ryan attended the University of Saskatchewan, graduating with a Degree in Agriculture and completing MSc Degree in the area of Animal Science.

Following University, Ryan moved to Lethbridge in 2002 where he worked as a feedlot consultant for Cargill Animal Nutrition. He moved to Ceylon when the opportunity arose to manage Border Line Feeders, a 7,000-head feedlot that was just beginning operation in 2005. During his six years managing the feedlot, it grew to a 12,000 head, very successful facility and was nominated for ABEX awards in six consecutive years, winning the ABEX for investment in 2006 and the award for Community Involvement in 2010. Ryan began feeding cattle in 2008. In 2010, he and his wife Leanne purchased land near Minton and in 2011, Ryan left his job at the feedlot to manage their own business, Living Sky Beef. This operation incorporates beef and forage management and includes cow/calf, backgrounding, and finishing of cattle as the market dictates.

Ryan strongly believes that producers need to be involved in the direction and policy development that shapes their industry. More than just a belief, Ryan has demonstrated his dedication to the beef industry through involvement in various boards and initiatives including, director for the Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association (SCFA), director for the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association (SCA), Sask. director for National Cattle Feeders Association, advisory committee for the University of Saskatchewan's Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Unit and member of the Youth Economic Engagement Council of Enterprise Saskatchewan.