about us

Direct-AG Services Ltd. is owned and operated by David Layton. Dave has a Bachelors degree in Business Management and has worked several years in the grain business in south and central Alberta. His knowledge of the grain business and extensive network of contacts in the agriculture sector is a valuable resource for his clients.

After seeing a need for local information in the agriculture sector, Direct-AG Services Ltd. was formed. Since 2003, Direct-AG Services Ltd. has been producing a weekly newsletter. The Direct Connections newsletter is focused on southern Alberta agriculture. In 2005, a website was added as a resource for buying and selling agricultural products, equipment, and commodities on the internet. The web has proved to be a great tool for buyers and sellers alike.

Direct-AG has recently added Hakon Skoien to its staff. Hakon has a Bachelors degree in Economics and is currently finishing post-graduate accounting studies at the University of Lethbridge. He joins the Direct-AG team as a Marketing Specialist. He is a definite asset to the Direct-AG staff.

As of 2008, Direct-AG has become part of a joint venture management group to bring financial services to its clients. Joining the Direct-AG team to offer financial consulting is Gordon Williams. Gordon has worked with Lethbridge College and Alberta Agriculture extension in farm management education extension courses that included farm accounting, machinery and land economics, strategic risk management, farm HR and Institutional risk and whole farm business planning. He has presided as chairman of the North West Farm Management Instructors Association anchored in the Pacific Northwest. He has participated in provincial advisory committees representing financial extension education interest for Alberta farmers. He taught the Alberta Ag/Olds College CAPA financial curriculum delivered to top Alberta farmers. The past five years he has worked as a independent consultant in federal program (CFBAS) farm financial consulting as well as the (CASS) delivery of on-farm education. He has recently become involved with advanced strategic risk management principles that further develop reliable costs in whole farm financial plan determination.

Craig Smith of Smith & Associates is also a member of Direct- AG’s joint venture management group and will also be working with Direct-AG to provide financial services. Craig has a Masters degree in Business Administration as well as P. Ag designation. He has many years of experience in banking and financial consulting. Craig specializes in the use of financial tools to improve profitability and get a better understanding of your business and where you would like it to go in the future. He can make sense of the most complex scenarios and present a plan that works for your farm. His extensive background in banking, farming, and debt management can be a real asset to your farm.

Direct-AG has a great team that is committed to helping its farm clients remain profitable and viable especially during these times of volatile markets and financial uncertainty.