Double Diamond Farm Supply, a family-owned full-service crop production retailer based in southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, has been serving local farmers since 1976. With a strong commitment to providing exceptional agronomy services, innovative technology, and community support, Double Diamond has built a legacy of trust and dedication to its customers.
In 1995, Corie Cowlthorp and Jackie Gray became involved with Double Diamond and quickly discovered their passion for the business and a vision for its future. They took over as owners and, in 1997, expanded with new locations in Pilot Mound and Snowflake. The company continued to grow, adding the Crystal City location in 2008 and opening a site in Alameda, Saskatchewan, in 2015.
Each stage of growth has been fueled by a commitment to exceptional service, blending agronomy, technology, and a genuine dedication to meeting the needs of customers and fueling their success.
Carter Cowlthorp, Assistant to the General Manager, grew up immersed in the business, spending time around the yard and officially starting work at 15. Although he began at an early age and always knew he wanted to work in agriculture, his path to get there took a winding route. He played junior hockey for four years before heading to Vermont, where he completed a business degree at Norwich University while continuing to play hockey. Afterward, he went on to play professional hockey, all while maintaining ties to the family business. Ultimately, his passion for agriculture led him back to his roots.
For Cowlthorp, the most rewarding part of his role is seeing the entire farming process come full circle—from planning to harvest—and helping farmers make informed decisions along the way.
“We’re fortunate to work closely with many of our customers, supporting them in their decision-making. Seeing everything come together and witnessing their success is incredibly fulfilling,” shared Cowlthorp.
“As a local independent dealer, we take great pride in working where we live, serving not just customers, but also our neighbors and friends,” said Cowlthorp. “It’s a privilege we don’t take for granted, and it drives us to work harder to contribute to the growth and well-being of our communities.”
The team actively supports youth sports, 4H clubs, and other community initiatives. They sponsor local rinks, curling bonspiels, and fundraisers, helping to maintain the strong sense of community that small towns are known for.
Cowlthorp has a special connection to youth hockey, one of his favorite community initiatives.
“Hockey is close to my heart, and it’s personally rewarding to give kids the opportunity to play a sport I’m passionate about.”
Double Diamond also provides internship opportunities for local high school students, providing hands-on experience in agronomy and agriculture. This program allows students to explore the possibility of a future career in the industry.
“We try to trial the same product in at least two sites—one in our western trading area and one in the east—to see how it performs in different soils,” explains Cowlthorp.
By running trials in multiple locations, they ensure the results are relevant and reflective of different growing conditions. This allows their team to provide the most accurate and useful recommendations to their customers.
Each year, the company hosts a field tour day, inviting customers to see the trials firsthand, engage with agronomists, and discuss findings.
The real value of these trials is not just in the data—it’s in building trust.
“We conduct trials not only to gain firsthand experience with new products and services but also to ensure we can confidently sit at the kitchen table with our customers and recommend solutions that truly fit their business,” says Cowlthorp. “We invest time in testing products to help farmers avoid unnecessary risks in their fields.”
"Biologicals are an exciting area of innovation," said Cowlthorp. "With fewer new active ingredients being developed, we’re often relying on the same products we've used for the past 30 years. Biologicals offer a new way to gain an advantage in the field."
Cowlthorp notes that while more work is needed to determine the best products for specific situations, the potential for farmers is promising.
“If we can replace repeated use of the same active ingredients with biologicals or new sustainable technologies, it gives farmers more options.”
He also highlighted other innovations, such as variable rate mapping, which helps apply the right amount of product in the right place, reducing waste and unnecessary applications.
The Double Diamond team has invested considerable time and effort into technologies that support variable rate applications, recognizing their potential benefits for both customers and the future of agriculture.
“This technology gives farmers access to data they wouldn’t have had in the past and offers the potential to be more profitable and economical,” Cowlthorp explained.
Cowlthorp also shared a key tip for maintaining soil health over the long term: making soil testing a regular part of the farming routine.
“You might think you know your soil and assume there are no deficiencies, but until you test consistently, you won’t truly know,” he emphasized. “Combining soil testing with variable rate technology allows you to manage your fields with greater precision and make informed decisions.”
As agriculture faces new challenges every day, farmers need every tool available to help navigate to success. By embracing new products and technology, they can boost efficiency and maximize profitability.
“We approach business as if we were dealing with our own fields. Our success starts with our customers being successful,” explained Cowlthorp.
As a locally owned, independent dealer, Double Diamond values the relationships they have built in their communities. The team takes pride in working alongside their customers—not just as business partners but as neighbors and friends.
With a mix of seasoned experts with thirty-plus years under their belts and young, enthusiastic professionals on the team, Double Diamond is positioned for a bright future.
“This great mentorship mix sets our team and our customers up for success, and it makes me excited for the future.”
The Journey So Far
Founded in 1976 by local brothers Bernie and Henry Thiesen, the business began with its first location in Elgin, Manitoba. The company expanded in 1979 with a new site in Boissevain, followed by the purchase of the Minto location in 1981.In 1995, Corie Cowlthorp and Jackie Gray became involved with Double Diamond and quickly discovered their passion for the business and a vision for its future. They took over as owners and, in 1997, expanded with new locations in Pilot Mound and Snowflake. The company continued to grow, adding the Crystal City location in 2008 and opening a site in Alameda, Saskatchewan, in 2015.
Each stage of growth has been fueled by a commitment to exceptional service, blending agronomy, technology, and a genuine dedication to meeting the needs of customers and fueling their success.
A Two-Generation Family Business
At Double Diamond Farm Supply, agriculture isn’t just a business—it’s a family legacy. Corie Cowlthorp's children, Morgan Gow and Carter Cowlthorp, along with Jackie Gray's son, Andrew Gray, are actively participating in the company's operations, making it a two-generation business.Carter Cowlthorp, Assistant to the General Manager, grew up immersed in the business, spending time around the yard and officially starting work at 15. Although he began at an early age and always knew he wanted to work in agriculture, his path to get there took a winding route. He played junior hockey for four years before heading to Vermont, where he completed a business degree at Norwich University while continuing to play hockey. Afterward, he went on to play professional hockey, all while maintaining ties to the family business. Ultimately, his passion for agriculture led him back to his roots.
For Cowlthorp, the most rewarding part of his role is seeing the entire farming process come full circle—from planning to harvest—and helping farmers make informed decisions along the way.
“We’re fortunate to work closely with many of our customers, supporting them in their decision-making. Seeing everything come together and witnessing their success is incredibly fulfilling,” shared Cowlthorp.
We’re All In This Together
Supporting local communities is a core value for Double Diamond.“As a local independent dealer, we take great pride in working where we live, serving not just customers, but also our neighbors and friends,” said Cowlthorp. “It’s a privilege we don’t take for granted, and it drives us to work harder to contribute to the growth and well-being of our communities.”
The team actively supports youth sports, 4H clubs, and other community initiatives. They sponsor local rinks, curling bonspiels, and fundraisers, helping to maintain the strong sense of community that small towns are known for.
Cowlthorp has a special connection to youth hockey, one of his favorite community initiatives.
“Hockey is close to my heart, and it’s personally rewarding to give kids the opportunity to play a sport I’m passionate about.”
Double Diamond also provides internship opportunities for local high school students, providing hands-on experience in agronomy and agriculture. This program allows students to explore the possibility of a future career in the industry.
Seeing is Believing
Double Diamond is committed to testing products before recommending them to customers. The team conducts field-scale trials on everything from seed varieties and fungicides to fertilizer rate and placement and emerging biological products.“We try to trial the same product in at least two sites—one in our western trading area and one in the east—to see how it performs in different soils,” explains Cowlthorp.
By running trials in multiple locations, they ensure the results are relevant and reflective of different growing conditions. This allows their team to provide the most accurate and useful recommendations to their customers.
Each year, the company hosts a field tour day, inviting customers to see the trials firsthand, engage with agronomists, and discuss findings.
The real value of these trials is not just in the data—it’s in building trust.
“We conduct trials not only to gain firsthand experience with new products and services but also to ensure we can confidently sit at the kitchen table with our customers and recommend solutions that truly fit their business,” says Cowlthorp. “We invest time in testing products to help farmers avoid unnecessary risks in their fields.”
Future-Proof Farming
One area set to see significant trials in the upcoming year is biological products."Biologicals are an exciting area of innovation," said Cowlthorp. "With fewer new active ingredients being developed, we’re often relying on the same products we've used for the past 30 years. Biologicals offer a new way to gain an advantage in the field."
Cowlthorp notes that while more work is needed to determine the best products for specific situations, the potential for farmers is promising.
“If we can replace repeated use of the same active ingredients with biologicals or new sustainable technologies, it gives farmers more options.”
He also highlighted other innovations, such as variable rate mapping, which helps apply the right amount of product in the right place, reducing waste and unnecessary applications.
The Double Diamond team has invested considerable time and effort into technologies that support variable rate applications, recognizing their potential benefits for both customers and the future of agriculture.
“This technology gives farmers access to data they wouldn’t have had in the past and offers the potential to be more profitable and economical,” Cowlthorp explained.
Cowlthorp also shared a key tip for maintaining soil health over the long term: making soil testing a regular part of the farming routine.
“You might think you know your soil and assume there are no deficiencies, but until you test consistently, you won’t truly know,” he emphasized. “Combining soil testing with variable rate technology allows you to manage your fields with greater precision and make informed decisions.”
As agriculture faces new challenges every day, farmers need every tool available to help navigate to success. By embracing new products and technology, they can boost efficiency and maximize profitability.
A Customer-First Approach
The agricultural industry is evolving rapidly, with obstacles like large capital investment and labor shortages requiring farmers to be more efficient than ever. For Double Diamond, the key to success is simple: put customers first.“We approach business as if we were dealing with our own fields. Our success starts with our customers being successful,” explained Cowlthorp.
As a locally owned, independent dealer, Double Diamond values the relationships they have built in their communities. The team takes pride in working alongside their customers—not just as business partners but as neighbors and friends.
With a mix of seasoned experts with thirty-plus years under their belts and young, enthusiastic professionals on the team, Double Diamond is positioned for a bright future.
“This great mentorship mix sets our team and our customers up for success, and it makes me excited for the future.”
