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Grain Farmers of Ontario and SGS Canada Inc. Announce the Grand Opening of the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory

GUELPH, ON (July 11, 2016) – Grain Farmers of Ontario and SGS Canada Inc. unveiled the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, July 11. Grain industry professionals from across Ontario were in attendance to mark the historic occasion.

“This grand opening is the first time a producer organization and a private company joined to open a lab of this nature in Canada,” says Barry Senft, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “We are pleased to work with SGS Canada on this initiative and look forward to the value-added opportunities it will bring Ontario farmers through a better understanding of Ontario cereal crops.”

SGS Canada and Grain Farmers of Ontario representatives outlined the lab is a historic joint venture as the first private commercial grains and analytical testing facility for cereal crops in Canada. The laboratory will better position Canadian farmers in both domestic and export markets, and will grow to include corn and soybeans in the future. Data gained will be used by Grain Farmers of Ontario to conduct their annual Ontario Wheat Quality scoop, in addition to other market development and research projects.

“This lab is our way to help this industry be more competitive, better informed and more innovative,” says Don Slobodzian, Vice President Agriculture and Food, SGS Canada. “It is a welcome addition to our Agriculture Testing Facility, which already performs soil and feed testing, as well as greenhouse analytical services.”

Located at SGS’s testing facility in Guelph, Ont. the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory offers a full suite of tests including rheological testing, physical dough and bake testing, protein levels and more. The lab will also offer commercial services for Ontario, Canadian and North American millers and processors.

GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover over 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.

SGS CANADA

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world. SGS Canada Inc. is part of this global network, operating in nine business lines with a team of 2000 in 70 locations across the country.

CONTACT:

Fulvio Martinez, Media Relations Manager, SGS Canada Inc. –  647-929-0411; Fulvio.Martinez@sgs.com

Nicole Mackellar, Manager, Market Development, Grain Farmers of Ontario –  519-767-4124; nmackellar@gfo.ca

Barry Senft, CEO –  1-800-265-0550; bsenft@gfo.ca

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