Egg farmers discuss industry innovations and community support at summer meeting

Egg Farmers of Ontario zone directors attending the summer district meeting included, from left, Scott Brookshaw (Wellington County), Rick Kootstra (Huron County), Sally Van Straaten (Perth-Waterloo), Egg Farmers of Ontario CEO Ryan Brown and meeting host Dan Veldman, Oxford County director and board vice-chair. Absent due to prior commitments was board chair Scott Helps of Lambton County. Gary West photo

By Gary West

Egg and pullet producers from Oxford, Perth, Waterloo, Huron and Wellington counties gathered recently at the Veldman family farm between Stratford and St. Marys for their annual summer meeting and barbecue.

Among the topics discussed was the continued growth in egg consumption across Ontario, which recent reports indicate is up two to three per cent over last year.

Producers also received an update on the In-Ovo sexing technology project, with news that Canadian Egg Technologies has reached a significant milestone through a strategic partnership with Sanovo Technology Group.

Canadian Egg Technologies is a partnership between Egg Farmers of Ontario, Egg Farmers of Canada and MatrixSpec. The new partnership is expected to accelerate the development and commercialization of pre-incubation sex identification technology for egg hatcheries in Ontario, across Canada and internationally. A global commercial launch is anticipated later this year or in early 2027.

Meeting attendees also heard updates on the Special Ingredient campaign, a joint consumer-awareness initiative involving Egg Farmers of Ontario, Chicken Farmers of Ontario and Turkey Farmers of Ontario. The campaign promotes Ontario's supply-managed poultry and egg sectors and has generated more than 63 million social-media impressions in its first six months.

Perth-Waterloo director Sally Van Straaten said district meetings are about more than flock management and producing fresh, high-quality eggs at affordable prices.

She said giving back to the community remains an important part of being an Ontario egg farmer, whether through donating eggs to local food banks and schools, supporting community organizations or helping neighbours in need.

Van Straaten added Ontario egg farmers remain committed to providing consumers with a reliable supply of fresh, nutritious eggs while continuing to support the communities where they live and work.