Company wins innovator prize at Banff Pork Seminar
SAINT-ISIDORE, QC, Feb. 26, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Agri-Marché, animal nutrition leader and subsidiary of Groupe Brochu, has won a Dr. F.X. Aherne innovation award. The company won acclaim by breaking new ground in swine semen transportation practices. The award, which is handed out each year at the Banff Pork Seminar, recognizes practical on-farm technology innovations that answer swine production challenges.
Transporting semen demands a thousand and one precautions, particularly due to temperature fluctuations. To be effective, the semen must be stored at a specific temperature, and even the slightest variation can render it useless for insemination. "We tried several systems, from styrofoam coolers to electric coolers, and nothing ever solved the problem effectively. Some of the systems did not even meet our environmental standards. Then we came up with the idea of using the vehicle's air conditioning system to create a refrigerated compartment that would save time and guarantee product quality. The air conditioning system cools the semen, mimicking the action of the collection station cooling chamber," explained Sylven Blouin, Head swine production Supervisor at Agri-Marché. "The old procedure required the semen to be cooled before transportation, but that step is no longer necessary with the new system. This means we save several hours each time, so we are more efficient and can offer better service to pork producers."
Agri-Marché keeps in touch with its clients' needs and never stops innovating. Its innovations benefit Canadian farmers on a daily basis. The new transportation system is unique in North America and reflects Agri-Marché's exacting innovation criteria, which are to meet the needs of producers, to respect the environment and to be economically viable. "We're very proud to have earned this prestigious award. I want to thank the entire team who contributed to the development of the innovation. It confirms our position as a trail-blazer and swine production leader, and it will benefit all our clients," added Patrice Brochu, President of Agri-Marché.
About Agri-Marché
Agri-Marché is an animal nutrition leader in Canada. With over 400 employees, the private company, founded in 1913, is a subsidiary of Groupe Brochu, with operations in Quebec and Ontario. It operates feed mills that produce grain for milk, pork and poultry producers. It also offers purchasing, consignment, storage, drying, cleaning, sale and marketing services for various sorts of grains, and operates a fully automated 24-7 grain transshipment centre. Agri-Marché operates research farms and pork and poultry breeding farms, as well as specialized agricultural hardware stores under the RONA l'Outilleur banner. Inspired by a constant drive to innovate, its experienced team focuses on meeting the needs of the marketplace by listening to the concerns of agricultural producers. This year, Agri-Marché is celebrating its 100th anniversary. For more information, go to www.agri-marche.com
SOURCE: Agri-Marché, Inc.
For photos or additional information, please contact:
Stacey Moran
Marketing Director
Agri-Marché
418 882-0474, ext. 2238
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