The committee working on developing a feedlot operation in the Ceylon area, Border Line Feeders Inc., is busy with soil tests and developing a business plan, working towards making the project a reality.

Over the summer, a number of tests were completed, and board members took in some educational opportunities and tours to help increase their knowledge of the cattle industry.

An in-office hydrogeological investigation was carried out by Beckie Hydrogeologists Ltd. on groundwater sources in the area of the proposed feedlot site, with data provided by SaskWater and the Saskatchewan Research Council.

There were promising results from the research, and it was recommended to drill five water testholes.

Border Line Feeders hired Jerry Beaubien in late August as the engineering project manager, and he helped to coordinate soil tests on Aug. 29. A drilling rig came out and drilled several holes around the proposed feedlot site area, with holes varying from 15 to 60 feet in depth. The company is now awaiting test results from the provincial lab, so water tests can be carried out.

Over the summer, the president of Border Line Feeders, Keith Kaufmann, two board members, Roger Hardy and Dave Holland, and office administrator Dawn O'Hara attended the Western Canadian Feedlot Management School held at the University of Saskatchewan.

Seminars covered a variety of topics, including the risks of cattle feeding, futures markets, basis, hedging, cash market contracts, contracting feeder and fat cattle, marketing cattle in Saskatchewan, basic nutrition, bunk management, designing rations for targeted performance, animal health programs, feedlot processing, silage and environmental issues around feedlots.

Kaufmann and O'Hara also went on a tour of a feedlot operation at Poundmaker, and they took away many ideas that could be of use.

Meanwhile, Border Line Feeders has been proceeding with their share offering, and the board will soon begin to put together a business plan.