Manitoba Egg Farmers receive $1.5 million from provincial and federal governments

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $1.5 million for Manitoba Egg Farmers (MEF) to establish the Egg Layer Research and Public Engagement Facility at the University of Manitoba’s (UM) Glenlea Research Station.

Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler made the announcement on October 8, in honour of World Egg Day.

“I am pleased to support the ongoing research at the UM that also supports our great Manitoba egg farmers,” says Eichler. “Our province’s egg farmers account for 10 per cent of the country’s egg production and generate about $120 million in farm cash receipts. We look forward to the continuation of research that helps drive interest in eggs and advances the egg industry.”

The UM currently operates the only egg research facility in Manitoba, but this facility is in need of significant upgrades, says the province. The proposed new facility will advance and enhance research on modern egg production techniques and technologies.

The new facility will also help ensure Manitoba is home to world-class research on egg production and development, in support of the Manitoba Protein Advance Strategy.

Manitoba Egg Farmers will also partner on the cost of construction, and the UM will continue to own and operate the facility once it is completed. Minister Eichler also added that this partnership-based effort will cement Manitoba as a Canadian leader in egg research, attracting and supporting highly qualified graduate students, and growing employment opportunities in the sector.

Catherine Kroeker-Klassen, board chair of Manitoba Egg Farmers, says this facility will also showcase to the general public, what modern egg farmers do.

“It’s important to us that we open the barn doors and show consumers how eggs are produced and how hens are housed,” she says. “It will be the most modern egg and layer research, education, and training facility in all of Canada and the only one purpose-designed to connect with the general public.”

World Egg Day was established in 1996 and is celebrated on the second Friday in October each year.

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