Future of Grain
HIGHLIGHTING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN GRAIN PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION
New technology to fortify grain
Member of Parliament Ben Lobb (Huron–Bruce), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, recently announced an investment to Everspring Farms Ltd. for the production of flour and sprouted seed products ingrained with DHA/EPA omega 3.
“This is a great example of how innovation is helping our producers stay competitive,” said MP Lobb. “Fortifying grains with essential fatty acids provides Canadians with a product that meets their health and wellness concerns, while boosting the bottom line of farmers through an increased demand for agricultural commodities.”
Everspring Farms has worked with Sharp Ingrained Functional Foods to develop a technology to fortify grains and seeds with essential fatty acids DHA and EPA under the brand Smartgrain® Complete Omega 3. This technology is the first process to commercialize ingrained omega 3 DHA/EPA grain products in North America.
This investment of over $155,000 under the AgriInnovation Program (AIP) helped Everspring Farms improve their manufacturing facility and purchase new equipment to produce DHA/EPA omega 3-enhanced ingrained flour and sprouted seed products such as flax, wheat, oats, rice and barley. These improvements are helping the company increase production capacity and sales, support the creation of new jobs and meet growing market demands overall. The project will also increase the demand for Canadian-sourced agricultural products, supporting local farmers.
The new Growing Forward 2 policy framework, which took effect on April 1, includes a new AIP valued at up to $698 million over five years. •
Who are you following?
Farmers are using Twitter to stay connected and up to date with industry news. Each month, Ontario Grain Farmer magazine will highlight Twitter accounts we think you should consider following or hashtags (#) that will help you join specific conversations.
#fromthefield
Use the hashtag #fromthefield for a great look at the 2013 harvest. Farmers from across the province have posted their pictures of fields, equipment, and views from the combine. Use this hashtag the next time you post your own update from the field!
@FAONews
This is the Twitter account of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This is the UN agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Follow this account for updates on world agricultural issues, including climate change, insect and disease outbreaks, and the latest reports on the state of the industry. •
The Digital Toolbox
The smartphone, tablet and computer are important tools on today’s farms. Each month, Ontario Grain Farmer magazine will highlight an app, online tool, or website that may help you in the field or in the farm office.
www.Deere.ca and www.fr.Deere.ca
John Deere has launched a bilingual, Canadian version of their website. The goal is to provide unique and more specific product information to their Canadian customers. This includes pricing, equipment features and specifications, attachments and overall product information in both official languages.
The site is geared to all users of John Deere equipment from farmers to landscape professionals, to commercial contractors. There will also be a dealer location link to assist customers in finding the closest John Deere dealer to take care of their product and service needs. •
