Ben Thorlakson Officially Retires
Ben and Betty Ann Thorlakson
Ben, Betty Ann, and their 16 grandchildren
After 53 years of leading Thorlakson Feedyards Inc., Ben Thorlakson has officially stepped down as President and has passed the reins on to his youngest, Tom. Ben celebrated his 80th birthday in September 2024, and celebrated with his 6 children and 16 grandchildren.
Ben started Thorlakson Feedyards in 1970, which has grown over the years to its current size of 20,000 head. He has also owned and operated feedlots in Ontario and British Columbia, as well as operating Cattleland Feedyards Ltd. in the Strathmore area for 25 years. In addition to the feedlot and farming, in 1984 he established a research facilty at Thorlakson Feedyards to conduct efficacy studies to support applications for new product registrations with the Bureau of Veterinary drugs in Canada and the Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. The facility collaborated with consulting veterinarians and other PhD specialists to conduct trials on many products and concepts; ionophores, anti-parasitic drugs (both internal and external parasites) therapeutic drugs to combat Bovine Respiratory Disease in calves, vaccines, vitamins and diet formulation.
He diversified by building Thorlakson Nature’s Call, which was compost and soil blending and bagging unit. While the soil blending and bagging facility sold to Scotts Canada in 2016, he has continued with manure composting and providing bulk garden products ever since.
This whole time, he has maintained a ranch in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia where he grew up.
Ben is well respected for his commitment to industry organizations and his efforts to ensure that the Canadian cattle industry is competitive both nationally and internationally. He has served in the following capacities:
President of Alberta Cattle Feeders Association
Chairman of Alberta Cattle Commission
President of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Chairman of the Canada Beef Export Federation
Chairman of the Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization
Served on the Ministers Advisory Committee of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Co-chaired the Ministers Advisory committee to the Alberta Minister of Environment ( Dr. Lorne Taylor)
In 2005, Ben received the Centennial award medal honoring Outstanding Albertans. In 2012, he received the Queen’s medal for service to his country.
Congratulations Ben!