Canadian tech leads the way for egg gender testing

Feb 05, 2025
By Andrew Joseph
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Canadian Egg Technologies and MatrixSpec Solutions Inc. have announced that their HyperEye technology is delivering accurate in-ovo gender determination for white and brown eggs as early as the fourth day of incubation.

Called a transformative breakthrough for global commercial egg hatchery operations, HyperEye provides the earliest reading of any tool available on the market and addresses animal welfare concerns.

Canadian Egg Technologies is a collaboration between Egg Farmers of Ontario and Egg Farmers of Canada who have partnered with MatrixSpec Solutions to develop and bring to market this new patented technology and offer an effective solution to the global egg industry.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Baie-d'Urfé, Québec, MatrixSpec Solutions is an AI company with a focus on providing non-destructive solutions for optimized and efficient processes, leading to superior quality and safety of products. The company uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence, machine learning, and hyperspectral imaging technology to provide game-changer solutions to the industry, especially the food and agri-food industry.

The cost-effective approach is a combination of hyperspectral imaging and Artificial Intelligence for a non-invasive method that leaves the eggshell intact, having been validated in commercial hatcheries. It protects both the hatchability and integrity of the egg.

“As farmers, we understand firsthand the need to continue to evolve our approach and use new innovations to address the challenges at hand,” said Roger Pelissero, Co-Chair of Canadian Egg Technologies. “HyperEye provides a unique solution for hatcheries worldwide and can help accelerate our collective efforts in addressing a complex area of our supply chain.”

The HyperEye technology is stand-alone and can be built into the processes of a typical hatchery. The small footprint of the system makes it ideal for facilities of any size and the current design allows for straightforward technology upgrades.

With successful testing completed in commercial hatchery settings, Canadian Egg Technologies and MatrixSpec are already engaging with industry leaders to implement this groundbreaking technology in key markets.

“Working directly with farmers has allowed us to understand the intricacies of hatcheries and the egg supply chain. Together, we are not only addressing animal welfare concerns but also offering a practical and scalable tool that is designed to integrate seamlessly into hatcheries,” commented Dr. Michael Ngadi, the Chief Executive Officer of MatrixSpec. “With our ongoing development efforts aimed at enabling sex identification before incubation, the current design allows for straightforward upgrades that incorporate new functionality when ready. This approach future-proofs our system and means our partners will lead the industry in innovation while benefiting from its efficiency and performance.”

For information on the Egg Farmers of Ontario, visit www.getcracking.ca.

For more on the Egg Farmers of Canada, visit www.eggfarmers.ca.

To learn more about MatrixSpec Solutions, go to www.matrixspec.ai.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.