Dale is originally from Edson, Alberta where he grew up on the family farm. Living on the farm is where he developed a love of the outdoors, fitness, and all things fast, like snowmobiles and quads. After graduating high school, Dale moved to Edmonton where he attended the Canadian College of Emergency Medical Services, graduating as an EMT. Soon after, Dale joined the Canadian Armed Forces where he became a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment.
During his time in the military, Dale completed a NATO Tour in the Drvar region of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Highlights of the tour included living in a renovated bread factory nicknamed Castle Grey Skull, the natural beauty of Bosnia itself, and meeting British Royalty. Drvar was a mountain town with winding roads, steep canyons, and friendly people. Every visit to a home started with a shot of Slivovitz, aka local moonshine. One of his fondest memories of Bosnia was providing close protection for Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Prince Charles’ Godmother and Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, during her visit with Canadian Troops.
After leaving the military, Dale worked as a Close Protection Operator on two U.S. Department of State programs in Kabul, Afghanistan, and surrounding regions. One program, the Justice Sector Support Program, Dale provided protection for, and lived with U.S. Attorneys working with the Afghan Government, the United Nations, the DEA, and other organizations. Fond, and funny memories of Afghanistan include BBQ’s and poker nights with the attorneys, driving in Kabul, a city of four million people with no traffic lights or stop signs, and making a real difference for the Afghan people. The company that I worked for contributed to programs in Agriculture, Law, Women’s Rights, Post-Secondary Education and made a real difference. It was great to see boys and girls in school uniforms, having the opportunity to attend school and attend university. During his time in Afghanistan, Dale attended Tactical Medic Training and Close Protection Driver Training in Richmond, Virginia; Palm Springs, California; and Tennessee.
After leaving the Close Protection field, Dale went back to school, graduating with a Degree in Finance (with Honors) from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. This is when Dale made the jump to Agfinity. Working with Agfinity brings together Dale’s farming roots and his interests in financial markets, commodities markets, and trading. It’s great to come full circle, connecting with family roots in agriculture and combine this with my interests in markets and trading. Next stop is to pursue an MBA while working with Agfinity. There’s one more bucket list item to do and that’s to get an MBA.
The photo was taken north of Kabul, Afghanistan, I’m on the right. Notice the agricultural fields along the river. During my time in Afghanistan, I never saw a tractor. The fields were worked using livestock and by hand.
Because Farming is Forever
Dale Stone
Market Report – Ashley Tompkins
The beginning of August has been rough on grain prices, most commodities have softened this week, some harder than others. Although it’s hard to speculate as to why the price drop, could be the harvest pressure, or perhaps it’s the improved weather conditions in some areas. One thing is for sure the current market forecast will require some pivots, as the market temperature is changing rapidly.
Barley is one of the commodities that has seen a significant price drop in the last few days. Generally, barley price had been hovering around $8/bu FOB central Alberta with a bit of an increase the later half of July to $8.20/bu FOB central Alberta, however this week we are seeing prices fall to $7.20/bu FOB central Alberta. New crop prices and old crop barley prices have now collided and are trending downward going into the harvest season. Most of our buyers have dropped their barley prices by more than $25MT, in the last few days. Also, like in recent years corn is being sold into the feed market which is capping the domestic feed barley market. Current new crop feed barley prices are at $375MT DLVD Lethbridge for September-November.
Oat prices are still holding around $4.10/bu picked up central Alberta for August movement. There are some opportunities for increased prices into the fall and winter months on both milling and feed oats.
Sellers Tip: Now is the time to move any old crop grain taking up space in your bins! August movement is filling up fast and early harvest has begun in some areas. Please give us a call today to book in your grain!