By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Thursday November 19, 2020

Nov 19, 2020 | 10:48 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – Protein Industries Canada (PIC) is providing money towards a project at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre in Saskatoon.

Oats, chickpeas, faba beans, lentils and hemp will be turned into liquid-based plant protein products and ingredients.

Chief Executive Officer Bill Greuel said PIC will provide half of the funding for the $7.2 million project with the rest coming from privately owned Saskatchewan companies Benson Farms at Raymore and Mera Developments in Regina.

“The collaborative nature of Mera Food Group, Mera Developments and Benson Farms perfectly represents the potential of our sector,” Greuel said. “Together, they’re not only helping each other achieve production and processing goals, but they’re also helping other agri-food and retail companies achieve their own growth goals.

Mera Food Group has signed a deal with Federated Co-operatives to produce an oat milk, which should be on the grocery store shelves sometime next year.

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BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions has completed a $14 million modernization of its formulation, packaging, and distribution plant in Saskatchewan.

The upgrades include mechanical operations, automation systems, quality control and safety protocols and performance.

During its peak production period from fall to spring, the facility will employ roughly 130 people. BASF said the upgrades will allow them to deliver products to retailers more quickly.

The Regina facility will produce over half of BASF Canada’s crop protection products.

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Winter weight season is being postponed on most secondary highways because of the milder November weather.

Highways Minister Joe Hargrave said winter weights usually begin on Nov. 16 and continue until March 14.

“When weather remains milder, the program is postponed,” Hargrave said in a media release. “Without sufficient freezing, extra weight can damage pavement and the road beneath which can be costly and potentially dangerous.”

Colder temperatures during the winter months help freeze and strengthen roads. As a result, more weight can be transported on provincial highways without damaging the road.

Municipal roads are the responsibility of each RM who set out their own weight limits.

Commercial truckers and shippers can check the status on highways here.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF