By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday February 16, 2021

Feb 16, 2021 | 11:22 AM

A COVID-19 outbreak at a central Alberta pork processing plant has prompted the temporarily closure of the facility.

Olymel said in a statement management no longer believed its plant in Red Deer can be operated safely and efficiently, despite measures it has taken to curb the spread of the virus.

There were 326 confirmed cases and 192 active cases connected to the outbreak.

The company said the outbreak began in November, but it was not until Jan. 20 there was a significant rise in infections, and one person later died.

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Merit Functional Foods has started commissioning its $150 million pea and canola protein facility at Winnipeg, Man.

Construction on the 94,000 square foot plant started in the fall of 2019.

The company said the new facility is the first commercial plant in the world with the capability to produce food-grade canola protein.

Merit will also make pea protein for food, beverage, and nutraceutical products.

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Agricultural societies in Alberta are suffering financially.

When the pandemic forced the cancellation of events the organizations lost their means to make money.

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is lending a hand to these groups by continuing to provide a base grant as well as an additional operating grant.

The 283 primary agricultural societies will each receive their $17,500 base grant, plus the new five-year average variable operating grant.

The seven regional societies will each receive roughly $298,000, as well as the variable operating grant up to a maximum of $100,000.

Grants will be processed starting in May.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF