By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Friday November 3, 2023

Nov 3, 2023 | 10:25 AM

Saputo Inc. is closing its facility in Lancaster, Wis., and plans to move production to another location in the state.

The Montreal-based company said about 100 employees will be affected by the decision. Employees will be offered the chance to move to other Saputo locations and, if no positions are available, they will receive severance and outplacement support.

The move comes after Saputo announced earlier this year that it was closing its location in Belmont, Wis.

The company plans to move production from both Lancaster and Belmont to its recently converted goat cheese manufacturing facility in Reedsburg, Wis.

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Companies from plant-based value chains have partnered to develop new artificial intelligence technology that is expected to improve the quality of Canada’s protein crops and ingredients.

With the support of Protein Industries Canada, project partners Enns Bros., Crop Sentry, DL Seeds and AGT Foods will develop the technology.

Through the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Protein Industries Canada is working with partners to more sustainably produce high-quality plant-based ingredients and products to meet the increasing demand for eco-friendly and nutritious food options both at home and abroad.

Building on the IoT sensor system previously developed by Crop Sentry, the partners will optimize in-field sensors for pea and canola crops to autonomously gather phenotype data throughout the growing season.

This in-field data-gathering will help farmers better collect measurements related to crop quality, leading to improved data-driven decisions that will have positive ripple effects up the value chain.

AGT Foods President and CEO Murad Al-Katib said technology is becoming an increasingly more important component in so many sectors and agriculture is no exception.

“Data is critical to provide the information needed so that we can make higher quality products right across the agriculture value chain. This starts in the field, with data-driven decisions to improve the quality and sustainability of the crops we grow, enabling processors like AGT Foods to manufacture even better products for consumers and the markets we service,” he said.

The project is the first to be announced under Protein Industries Canada’s artificial intelligence stream.

A total of $13 million has been invested in the project, with Protein Industries Canada committing approximately $5.9 million and the partners together committing the remainder.

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Burnbrae Farms, a Canadian family-owned and operated egg company, is launching two new speciality offerings that showcase eggs that come from the company’s Woodstock, Ont., solar-powered farm.

The products, Naturegg Solar Free Range and Nature Omega Plus Solar Free Range eggs will be produced with high-efficiency motors, lighting, and ventilation. The solar farm is a step towards the company’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Burnbrae Farms has been tracking its carbon footprint since 2018. Margaret Hudson, president and CEO of Burnbrae, said they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and electricity consumption across its farms.

“As the largest family-owned and operated egg business in Canada, our mission is to produce healthy, great-tasting eggs and egg products while respecting the environment, people, and animals in our care,” Hudson said. “Our Naturegg Solar Free Range products reflect our sustainable and responsible farming practices, our family values, and our commitment to nourishing Canadian communities from coast to coast.”

The new offerings come from free-range hens that are housed in open-concept barns with access to the outdoors.

The new products will be offered in some grocery stores across Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW