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By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture Roundup

Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday, March 23, 2023

Mar 22, 2023 | 11:13 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) said it will be expanding once again in Saskatchewan.

The two new locations are Dunmore and Saskatoon.

UFA also announced it has opened its doors in Weyburn and Yorkton. The sites are part of the expansion of UFA’s petroleum business in central and eastern Saskatchewan.

UFA also announced a historic patronage dividend of $28 million back to its membership. This marks the sixth consecutive year of increased patronage and a 56 per cent increase over last year.

President and CEO Scott Bolton said one of the primary benefits to being a co-operative member is patronage.

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“This year’s patronage dividend is truly significant,” Bolton said. “We have expanded our patronage program to reward our membership by paying on more categories of purchases. More products our members use daily on their farm, ranch, or for their business now earn them patronage rewards. We are proud to grow and deliver patronage consistently.”

UFA reported a good fiscal year. In addition to the patronage dividend, it reported $2.4 billion in financial revenues and $157 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

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McCain Foods said it will spend $600 million to double the size of its potato processing facility in southern Alberta.

The Toronto-based food manufacturing company said the project at its Coaldale location will be the largest investment in the company’s history.

The project will create two new production lines as well as 260 new jobs, more than doubling the facility’s current workforce.

McCain said the expansion will also include wind turbines and solar panels to provide 100 per cent renewable electricity to the facility. Renewable biogas generated at the site’s wastewater treatment facility will offset natural gas demand.

McCain said construction on the expansion will begin later this year.

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Waterfowl that were found dead in Brampton, Ont. have tested positive for Avian Influenza.

The City of Brampton said a group of dead birds were found in the areas of Professor’s Lake and Duncan Valley Foster South.

Officials said samples were sent to the Canadian Wildlife Health Co-operative for testing, and Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu, was confirmed as the cause of death.

The risk of bird flu spreading to humans is extremely rare.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW