Egg consumption is rising, which means there is quota available for new producers.
There are over 60 commercial egg operations in Saskatchewan. One of the newer ones is owned by Andrew Monchuk in the Lanigan area, about 120 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon.
There was a lot of planning, but a little luck involved as well. Monchuk entered his name into the Sask Egg new entrants quota draw in the winter of 2016.
“We were fortunate that our business plan was accepted and our name was drawn out of the hat,” says Monchuk. “Construction started in the fall of 2016, with production beginning the following spring.”
There are 8,000 chickens in a large barn that allows free movement and the ability for the birds to fly to higher perches.
“We were advised this was the way the consumer trends were going. Some of the restaurants were wanting to switch up their products that they are serving. So we thought we would get ahead of the curve and go into free-run egg production.”
Monchuk says egg consumption continues to rise because it is a cheap source of protein for consumers.
“It’s a healthy choice for breakfast and some of the culture changes within Saskatchewan and Canada over the past ten years. The population is also growing.”
Consumers prefer larger eggs and producer receive a premium for the preferred size.
There is one flock per year and the birds are delivered to the farm at 17 weeks of age. They will continue laying eggs until 52 weeks, when the birds are removed, the barn cleaned and a new flock comes in.
The eggs are picked up and delivered to Star Eggs in Saskatoon. They are candled, washed, graded and packaged and are then shipped to grocery stores and restaurants.