Alberta gets a boost with Value-Added Agriculture Projects

Jul 08, 2024

Federal Government announces support for Alberta’s agricultural sector

By: Farms.com

Through PrairiesCan, over $21 million will be invested in 14 value-added agriculture projects in Alberta via several federal programs.

These investments are expected to create over 800 jobs and help Alberta organizations seize new opportunities in innovative agricultural products, services, and technologies.

Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program - $2,469,236

G.S. Dunn Ltd.: Upgrade facility with new equipment to expand mustard product production.

Regional Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program - $8,583,222

Olds College: Expand Smart Farm operations and purchase new equipment.

Olds College: Assist agricultural start-ups and upgrade facilities.

Stettler Adult Learning Council: Establish a Regenerative Agricultural Lab.

University of Alberta: Purchase and optimize a prototyping unit for producing cellulose-based products.

Alberta Bio Processing Innovation Centre and Alberta Agrivalue Processing Business Incubator: Install new equipment to commercialize agricultural products.

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT): Develop supply chains for converting starch by-products.

Venturepark Labs: Host industry event and create an online program for early-stage food businesses.

Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) - $9,877,513

PIP Lethbridge Inc.: Increase manufacturing capacity for plant-based protein products.

BiziSul Inc.: Establish a facility to convert waste sulphur into fertilizer.

Pure Life Carbon: Expand production of soil alternative products.

Community Economic Development and Diversification (CEDD) program - $446,800

Alexander Business Corporation: Assess plant-based protein opportunities.

North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance: Develop a water management model.

Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI) - $458,344

Wyvern Incorporated: Launch a satellite system for innovative farming solutions.

These investments aim to enhance Alberta’s agricultural productivity, support innovation, and create new job opportunities, ensuring a resilient and competitive agricultural sector.

Video: New Solution Powers Efficient Pork Growth

Alltech has introduced Olerix, an innovative phytogenic blend created to promote growth and feed efficiency in pigs. Through a proprietary coating process, the bioactive blend of phytogenic compounds used in Olerix is designed to outlast the manufacturing process, ensuring consistent outcomes from feed to finish. The result is a high-impact efficiency solution that provides consistent support for gut health, feed efficiency, immune function and growth performance. Olerix is backed by validated trials conducted under modern pork production conditions.

“As the industry searches for technology to drive profitability forward in a more sustainable manner, we’re thrilled to join that effort with our Olerix technology,” said Mark Hulsebus, general manager for U.S. pork at Alltech. “Our work in this phytogenic space is yielding very encouraging results, and we’re excited to make this new opportunity available to pork producers focused on optimizing feed efficiency and growth rates.”

“Olerix represents the next generation of phytogenic technology — combining feed efficiency, livability and immune support into a practical commercial solution producers can implement today,” said Andy Rash, U.S. monogastric director at Alltech.