A joint venture agreement has been signed between Grain Farmers of Ontario and SGS Canada to develop the Ontario Grains Laboratory, a full analytical testing facility for cereal crops._x000D_
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The laboratory is expected to be fully operational this spring to conduct a full suite of tests including rheological testing, physical dough and bake testing, protein levels, and more._x000D_
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“This lab will be the first of its kind in our province and will position Ontario as a strong leader, for domestic and international markets, in cereal crops,” says Barry Senft, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We are very pleased to officially announce this initiative with SGS Canada and we are confident that, upon completion, this lab will be a great asset to the grain industry.”_x000D_
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The lab will be dedicated to Ontario cereal crops and housed in SGS’s existing testing facility in Guelph, Ontario. Once established, the lab will also offer full commercial services for Ontario, Canadian and North American millers and processors._x000D_
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“SGS Canada currently provides inspection and testing services for the agriculture industry,” says Don Slobodzian, Vice President Agriculture and Food, SGS Canada. “The Ontario Grains Laboratory allows us to draw on our existing expertise to open a whole new penetration of our business for the Canadian market, especially in Ontario.”_x000D_
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The joint venture agreement was signed in December and development is well underway with equipment purchases and resource hiring. Grain Farmers of Ontario is investing in capital to develop the laboratory. In return, Grain Farmers of Ontario will receive a credit for services at the lab to be used to conduct their annual Ontario Wheat Quality scoop and other market development and research projects.
