Tony Noorloos arrived in southwestern Ontario in 1950 from Holland. He was 18 years old and dreamed of owning a farm. He started farming in the sugar beet and seed corn fields. He also worked on local livestock farms and spent evenings in a local industrial factory. All this experience built towards his ultimate success in a booming beef and cropping operation.
Noorloos was always at the leading edge of production technologies. Balanced rations, feed storage and handling, marketing, equipment, and animal husbandry are some of the areas that hold many examples of his innovations.
Noorloos always valued the perspective of other beef producers. This was true even if their approach differed from his own. His feedlot was always open and welcomed many visitors. That included Cattlemen’s Association bus trips, politicians, seniors, and school children. Noorloos and his family always shared their time and welcomed visitors.
He was involved with professional associations including the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA). He served on the OCA board from 1976 to 1985. He was OCA president in 1982, and a member of the OCA Executive Committee from 1977 to 1983. He also served on the Board of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association from 1980 to 1982. Noorloos’s involvement with OCA came during challenging economic times of high inflation and interest rates. His work ethic, integrity, and commitment to a market-driven beef business helped shape the future of the Ontario beef sector.
Noorloos also created many lasting relationships in his business and personal life. Cattle buyers, feed companies, transporters, input suppliers, and packers all know he valued service and integrity. His word was golden with them and his customer loyalty was strong.
With his wife Tena, Noorloos had six children, 28 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. Tony died in 2012. He passed along his love of farming to his sons John and Alfred. His grandson Tony Noorloos followed in his tradition of farming excellence and innovation. The younger Tony was awarded a regional Premier’s Award for Agri-food Innovation Excellence in 2009 (you can read more about it on the Ontario Corn Fed Beef Program's website). He worked with his father John (the elder Tony’s son) on different types of cattle chutes in the late 1990s. They devised a chute that allowed the cattle to exit through a streamlined funneling system. It reduced stress in the animals and improved efficiency of their operation. In 2009, the chute was working in six different feedlots and handling 1,100 cattle per day.
Community Contributions
- Very involved with re-birth of sugar beet production in Lambton County
- Participated in Lambton Future Feeders, which involved feeding trials with local farmers
- Hosted many visits to his beef feedlot over the years, including groups and schoolchildren
- Attended Michigan State University beef short courses and helped bring the courses to Lambton County
- Hosted feedlot demonstration day in 1976 for County producers
- Lambton Cattlemen’s Association Director for many years and President in 1974
- Served on Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Board from 1976-1985
- Ontario Cattlemen’s Association Executive Committee from 1977-1983
- One of two Lambton County residents to become Ontario Cattlemen’s Association President in 1982
- Served on Canadian Cattlemen’s Association from 1980-1982
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