From in-house seed blends to rental equipment and livestock feed, farmers and ranchers in southwestern Saskatchewan can get pretty much whatever they need at Ponderosa Ag Sales Ltd. in Swift Current.
They’ll also receive knowledgeable service and unparalleled product expertise for free. It’s all part of the package at Ponderosa.
“We do everything we can to get people in and out with knowledge and expertise,” says Trevor Hoffman, the business’s manager. “We want to be as friendly and accessible as we can, so our customers come back.”
And there are more and more customers at Ponderosa all the time. Quality products and product knowledge have a lot to do with that, but so does the company’s willingness to go above and beyond for its clientele.
For example, as Ponderosa understands that many farmers simply can’t come to the store during traditional business hours, they have a dedicated after-hour pick-up spot where customers can grab their products and pay by card, or even pay later.
“Our clientele base is definitely getting bigger monthly,” Hoffman asserts.
As a family business, Ponderosa’s history can be traced back to long before it was called by its present name. Back in 1990, the Gerbrandt farm north of Waldeck began what would become Ponderosa Ag Sales. Ten years later, a warehouse and office were built on the farm as business continued to grow, and in 2002 it made the move to Swift Current.
The Ponderosa name was adopted 10 years ago, by which time Hoffman, who has a degree in animal science, was already overseeing the feed side of the business. These days, the store at Ponderosa Trail S in Swift Current sells numerous blends of seeds, feed products, Pioneer Coupler Cattle Oilers and Tuff Livestock Equipment. They also rent out land levellers and rollers, rotary and heavy harrows, hay trailers and Rite Way Equipment.
“The grass seed business is number one, and then we have the feed business which gives us something to do between the grass seasons,” Hoffman explains. “Most of our feed sales are cattle related, but we do have lots of feed for horse and poultry, as well as mineral and lick tubs. We can feed anything, really. And if we don’t have it, we can get it.”
Additionally, Ponderosa provides lawn seed for many city lots in Swift Current, and their pet feed sales continue to skyrocket.
“It’s amazing how much pet food we move here,” says Hoffman.
Ponderosa’s is a truly made-in-southwestern-Saskatchewan success story, and it continues to be written. The Swift Current office is currently getting a bit of a changeover, including new flooring and a new roof. A new furnace is up and running as well.
The company’s growing staff also ensures it has the capabilities to meet the needs of its clientele. Jordan Laton, for example, was added to the team earlier this year and brings both exceptional machine-servicing and computer skills.
It all means local customers can continue to expect the same quality products and outstanding service and expertise for years to come.
Ponderosa Ag Sales Ltd is located at Ponderosa Trail S along Hwy 1 E in Swift Current and can be reached by calling (306) 773-5481. Additional product information is available on their website.