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Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday November 16, 2022

Nov 16, 2022 | 1:52 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – J.R. Simplot Company will acquire G-Mac’s AgTeam 15 retail locations in Saskatchewan.

G-Mac’s retail stores will now be Simplot Grower Solutions locations.

Simplot Vice President and General Manager of Retail Business Troy Bolt said the company is happy to expand its retail footprint in Western Canada.

“We welcome the new employees, customers, and partners and look forward to continuing the G-Mac’s AgTeam legacy of delivering exceptional service and sound agronomic advice,” Bolt said.

The J.R. Simplot Company is a family-owned food and agribusiness company headquartered in Boise, ID.

The Manitoba government is providing more than $900,000 through the Innovation Growth Program to help businesses develop and commercialize innovative products and processes.

Two agriculture-related businesses will receive funding.

Bushel Plus will receive $96,500 to commercialize an after-market device for combines that examines the equipment’s operational efficiency, allowing farmers to make immediate adjustments to decrease harvest losses.

Mode40 Ltd. will use the $100,000 contribution for market expansion activities for a software platform that incorporates operational planning and animal science features to increase the productivity of livestock facilities.

Economic Development, Investment and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen said the program provides funding to small and medium-sized businesses.

“By mitigating some of the risks associated with developing innovative products, this program helps accelerate the economic growth of Manitoba businesses and improves their competitiveness in the global market,” Cullen said.

Saskatchewan’s Trade and Export Development Minister said the network of international trade and investment offices and recent missions have increased the province’s profile on the world stage.

Jeremy Harrison said in the first eight months of 2022, merchandise exports in Saskatchewan increased by 44.3 per cent compared to 2021, which also surpassed pre-COVID total exports in 2019.

He said the success in growing exports illustrates the strength of Saskatchewan’s presence in the global market.

“Saskatchewan will continue showcasing our products and innovation to the world, and we will also continue attracting people and investment to ensure we have growth that works for everyone,” Harrison said.

Through the ministry’s efforts, Germany-based K+S Aktiengesellschaft announced its intention to double potash production at the Bethune Legacy Mine, adding 70 new jobs.

Black Fox Distillery, located near Saskatoon, secured a deal in the United Kingdom to promote and sell its spirits.

The province’s Singapore office assisted NorQuin to identify buyers and secured a deal, resulting in the first shipment of Saskatchewan quinoa to the ASEAN region.

Saskatchewan has a total of eight international trade offices, with a ninth office announced in this fall’s Throne Speech in Germany.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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