O&T Farms announced it is expanding its manufacturing facility, located northwest of Regina on Highway 11.
According to a news release, “O&T manufactures products used for animal health, animal performance, pet food, methane reduction and Omega-3 foods for humans.” To make the products, they purchase 50-thousand metric tonnes of flaxseed, canola, pulses, and alfalfa per year – most of it coming from farmers in the province, although the company occasionally buys from producers in Manitoba, noted CEO Tim Weins. The company exports to a number of markets, including the U.S., southeast Asia, South America, and the Middle East.
The $10-million expansion of its facility means production capacity will increase to 130-thousand metric tonnes, a “30 per cent increase”, says Weins. “That’s just getting ready for the future for us where we continue to build on our sales across the animal agriculture spectrum, whether it’s in the poultry world, or in the beef world or dairy world, we’re trying to see forward into the future and I think we see enough positives to make this announcement on the build.”
He says buying locally gives farmers more stability “in terms of a solid market to grow for” as well as “reducing their reliance on exporting raw, unprocessed grain to countries such as China.”
O&T currently sustains 262 jobs and the expansion will bring in more than 20 jobs between sales, administration, and the production line.
The expansion will also add a new warehouse, maintenance facility and office. Construction is expected to be done by 2026.