BANFF, Alta. — Shane and Kristin Schooten of Diamond City, Alta., are this year’s outstanding young farmers for the Alberta-Northwest Territories.
Shane is president of Schooten and Sons Feedyards located near Lethbridge. Total capacity is 40,000 head and they also have 300 commercial cows. The farm includes another 6,300 acres for crop and grazing.
Shane has been farming since he was 16. The feedlot has implemented a GPS system for all four feed yard locations and uses touch screen computers in the feed trucks and at each cattle handling chute. They can also record age verification, which is adapted into the feed inventory control system.
The family owned operation also has a long-term composting operation using its own feedlot manure and adding the compost back into the farm operation.
Shane and Kristin have two children, Gracen, six, and Berkley, five, who are involved in community sports. They will be competing for the national Outstanding Young Farmers title later this year in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Contact barbara.duckworth@producer.com
