Agribition sets new record
Canadian Western Agribition 51 hit record-breaking numbers in 2022. The show saw 120,000 attendees – including 1,200 international visitors from 63 countries, and approximately 10,000 school children. The event saw peak admission sales on Friday and Saturday, and record-breaking conference attendance with over 276 guests for the Indigenous Agriculture Summit, and 767 guests who attended the Annual Grain Expo.
Canadian Western Agribition.
“We are extremely pleased with the numbers we saw over the course of the week,” said Shaun Kindopp CWA’s CEO. “The entire week was remarkable for us; not only did we see record admission sales, but we hit record-breaking entertainment with three sell-out rodeo performances and a sold-out Saturday’s Party on the Dirt. “We could not be more thrilled, and I am so proud of our team and crew for all they have achieved.”
Agribition also saw the sale of a bred Speckle Park cow to a buyer in Australia for $48,000, and a Limousin heifer sold to a Texas buyer for $40,000. Tthe sale total for this year is sitting at $2.25 million, with additional potential international purchases in the works.
Canadian Western Agribition returns for its 52nd edition from November 20th – November 25th, 2023.
Harvard Developments announced new hires
Regina’s Harvard Developments announced this week that Mary Weimer has joined the firm as its chief operating officer. Weimer was on Conexus Credit Union’s senior leadership team for four years as chief member experience officer and then chief advice officer before joining Harvard.
As well, Chris Burrell has been appointed senior director, development at Harvard. He has been with Harvard since 1996, and was most recently the company’s director of technical services.
New look for Saskatoon food processing cluster
Dec. 14 saw the launch of Prairie Food Link, the new name and brand for Saskatoon’s food and ingredient processing cluster, by Ag-West Bio.
“Starting a food business is exciting, but there are challenges at practically every stage, unique to this industry,” said Blair Knippel, co-chair of the Prairie Food Link committee. “While membership opens the door to networking events and the overall expertise of the Prairie Food Link community and its leaders, the real value comes from actively engaging with others who have each ‘been there, done that’ both locally and globally. Our members engage with world-class, experienced food and ingredient CEOs, facility operators, innovators, and investment experts, to troubleshoot solutions with others who have dealt with similar issues.”
Prairie Food Link covers Saskatoon and a wide region outside of the city into northern Saskatchewan. According to the organization, there are nearly 140 members that include food and ingredient processors and retailers educational institutions, R&D facilities, government, investors, financial institutions and Indigenous economic development organizations.
City of Saskatoon and Pelican Lake First Nation come together on urban reserve
The City of Saskatoon and Pelican Lake First Nation have signed an agreement to designate the First Nation’s land at 1944 St. George Avenue (the site of Adam’s Lumber) as an urban reserve.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and Pelican Lake First Nation Chief Peter Bill – with the Council of Pelican Lake First Nation and Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Chair, Jyotsna (Jo) Custead – signed urban reserve agreements during a special signing ceremony on Dec. 14.
“This exciting purchase of the historic Adams Lumber by Pelican Lake First Nation will create a new chapter for this business, the city and the province,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “I have been impressed with the vision that Chief Bill and his Council have for creating opportunity in the lumber and building industry. I’m grateful that they have chosen to invest here in Saskatoon. The continued establishment of Urban Reserves in our city helps build opportunity for everyone into the future.”
During the ceremony the Pelican Lake First Nation revealed and lit the newly restored Adams Lumber sign which was originally on the site and visible from the Idylwyld Drive Freeway.
“This is a significant achievement for Pelican Lake First Nation. It is an honour to work with the City of Saskatoon. They have opened their arms to us and worked with us,” said Chief Peter Bill. “This is just the beginning of our engagement with the City to create opportunities for our urban Band Members. During these times in which we are all attentive to Truth and Reconciliation and healing, we look forward to our participation in the economy and life in Saskatoon as a path to building strong and positive relationships. We are here to do business and commit to active participation in Saskatoon as we move forward together.”
Pelican Lake First Nation’s home reserve is at Chitek Lake, Sask.
SREDA presents Business Growth Grants to six businesses
SREDA and Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce have awarded six businesses in the Saskatoon region with funding from the Business Growth Grant program. Each company received $5,000 to help their businesses grow. The recipients include:
- JS Industries, Rosthern
- Mobile Fleet Services, Martensville
- Park Brewing Company, Warman
- Paws Republic Centre for Pets, Martensville
- Rival Electric, Warman
- Westgreen Crop Inspections & Agronomic Advisory Services, RM of Laird
AgriFORCE sees successful trial on flour
Vancouver’s AgriFORCE announced on Dec. 15 it has successfully trialed its UN(THINK) Awakened Flour at its Saskatoon production facility, and it will head into commercialization of the product in 2023. Awakened Flour is uses a “100 per cent natural patent-pending process to create a gently germinated flour that is more nutritious, easier to digest, and better tasting with 2 times the protein of regular wheat flour,” according to the company.
“UN(THINK)’s Awakened Flour has the ability to become the gold standard of sprouted flour,” said Hernando Ruiz-Jimenez, UN(THINK) Food Co.’s general manager. “Consumers are eager for products that offer enhanced nutritional value and better digestion, and no product currently on the market matches Awakened Flour’s nutritional and flavor profile. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to begin our relationship with bakeries, restaurants and other B2B customers throughout North America.”
The company will launch to bakeries in Canada and the U.S., and then proceed to a direct-to-consumer launch.