A farmer from Swift Current named Darrel Monette has been ordered to pay a ranch consultant from British Columbia $2.7 million as a result of a disputed agreement, which led to legal proceedings and tarnished both individuals’ reputations. This amount is significantly lower than the initial $12 million that Monette was originally instructed to pay in March 2025.
Monette Farms’ legal representative, David Kemp, reiterated that they never officially engaged the consultant’s services or employed him. The dispute arose from a complex transaction involving the potential acquisition of a British Columbia cattle operation known as Blue Goose Cattle Company (BGCC) in 2020 and whether Monette had enlisted the consultant’s help for this endeavor.
BGCC, a subsidiary of Dundee Corp. listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE), comprised multiple cattle ranches spanning over 18,200 hectares in British Columbia, with a reported herd size of 14,000 cattle, though this figure was under question. BGCC was seeking $100 million for the sale of its land, cattle, and equipment.
The consultant, David Dutcyvich, became involved when LBJ Capital Inc., based in Okotoks, attempted to acquire shares of BGCC. Dutcyvich, a cattle rancher with expertise in evaluating ranching operations, was hired by LBJ to assess the potential deal, with an agreement to receive a fee based on the negotiated price. However, the deal with LBJ fell through, leading to strained relationships between the parties.
Subsequently, Monette entered the scene as LBJ expressed interest in purchasing his farming operation for $580 million, a figure that was later adjusted to $630 million. Although this deal did not materialize, it brought Monette and Dutcyvich together. Dutcyvich claimed that Monette sought an introduction to the individuals at Blue Goose.
Following the failed deal with LBJ, Monette independently negotiated the purchase of Blue Goose, finalizing the acquisition for $63 million without Dutcyvich’s involvement in the pricing negotiations. Despite this, Dutcyvich maintained that he had an oral agreement with Monette to receive $12 million, partly for services rendered and for reducing the purchase price from the initial $100 million.
The disagreement escalated when Dutcyvich alleged that Monette did not honor their agreement, culminating in a legal battle over the unpaid fees. A court initially ruled in Dutcyvich’s favor, awarding him $12 million, a decision that Monette contested in an appeal. The appeals court acknowledged that a contractual relationship existed between the parties but noted the lack of clarity regarding the agreed fee.
Ultimately, the appeals court determined that Dutcyvich was entitled to an industry-standard introduction fee plus $1 million for his services, totaling $2.7 million. Despite the reputational damage incurred, Monette’s legal team expressed disappointment with the ruling but indicated no further legal actions would be pursued.
