About Us

Cows in Control Inc. (est. 2014)

Cows in Control Inc. was founded by Ryan Copithorne, a fourth-generation rancher from Jumpingpound, Alberta. With more than 25 years in the ranching and farming industry, Ryan brings extensive knowledge and experience to helping producers protect the value of their commodities and inventories.

Ryan Copithorne

Ryan brings deep, hands-on experience in large-scale ranching and cattle operations. He has managed and operated a historic family ranch, designed one of Canada’s largest cow/calf programs, and served as Cattle Director for an investor-owned, multi-ranch operation running 8,500 head of cattle.

He currently serves as President of the Western Stock Growers’ Association, representing and advancing the interests of cattle producers across the region.

Ryan holds an MBA from Queen’s School of Business, along with a degree in finance.

Ryan’s Story

“My whole life I worked on the ranch, improving grass, selecting better genetics, and cutting costs to add value to the cattle I sold. Over time, I realized that protecting those profits through a proper marketing program is just as important as any production gains I made in the cattle.

That’s why I built this company—to help ranchers protect the value of their product so they can focus on building and improving it.”

– Ryan Copithorne

Vision

We envision our cattle producer clients as profitable, multigenerational, and thriving for years to come. This is achieved by staying well informed, managing risk, timing markets effectively, and developing long-term strategies that balance profitability and sustainability.

Values

  • Cattle producers are essential stewards of the land, providers of food, and pillars of rural economies.
  • We support producers by helping keep them in business and strengthen their operations.
  • No margins are charged at the producer’s expense without delivering confirmed, value-added results.
  • Our goal is longevity and resilience in the cattle industry, and we are committed to doing what it takes to support that cause.

What Clients Say

In these times of economic and political volatility, risk management is a valued tool to protect our investment and to get a good night’s sleep! Cows in Control provides the checks and balances needed to make informed decisions.
B.H.
B.H.Valleyview, AB
Can't say how much I appreciate your insights and information. You made and saved us a lot of cash this year and past years.
Client
ClientCentral Alberta
We have greatly appreciated the valuable information we have received through Cows in Control. The information we have received and used has helped increase the profits on our ranch.
A.W.
A.W.Marwyne, AB
I really appreciate the down to earth analysis of the charts. The monthly reports have helped to make sense of the many moving and inter-related forces that drive our commodity markets. I rest easier knowing that someone is watching for risks and opportunities and alerting me when they arise. Very good value.
T.W.
T.W.Irricana, AB
Thanks Ryan, you have earned your fees. Your correspondence is very helpful. It gives me much more confidence speaking to the broker. Thanks for coaching me through it.
Client
ClientIrricana, AB
I really appreciate Ryan's market analysis especially the hedgable profit/ loss per head by weight class.
H.J.
H.J.Holden, AB
The Watertrough provides a condensed 'Coles notes' version of the cattle market. It is clear and easy to follow even when there are complicated circumstances to consider. The Newsletter is well laid out, balanced with facts and figures and possibly an opinion on what is happening. Ryan does an excellent job in this brief publication.
This is invaluable to us as producers since often we are busy 'going about our business' of daily ranch work and can easily miss key events in the cattle industry. Ryan sends out timely and effective communication in his Client Update and Alert publications. These are clear and concise reports of what is currently happening, supported by pertinent commodity graphs and brief explanations of each key point. Ryan is not a clairvoyant, but he does substantiate his opinions with both current and historical facts and figures to give his clients a fuller picture so that better decisions can be made. Ultimately it is up to each producer to manage their own risk, but Ryan gives us a big 'leg up' in deciphering the markets!
Going to your banker? Ryan can provide you with the information that a financial institution wants to see - a risk management plan with understandable information! Need information on what to look for in price insurance? marketing approach? hedging strategies? Ryan can give you as detailed a plan as you request with benchmarks and parameters that are achievable and pre-planned. This gives the producer a comfort level of at least mapping out what otherwise can be very complex and difficult to sort out.
Can't say enough positive things about our experience with Cows in Control services. Do we always agree? Of course not! But Ryan does give us a balanced approach to what we are looking at, bringing to the table a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the industry.
P.W.
P.W.Borden, SK

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