August 29, 2018

Canada agri-food co-op buys 50% stake in animal nutrition company

The agri-business division of La Coop fédérée, an agri-food cooperative with operations across Canada, announced late this month that it has purchased a 50% stake in WS Feed & Supply, an animal nutrition company based in Tavistock, Ontario, Canada.

WS Feeds operates two feed mills in Ontario, from out of Tavistock and Mount Forest. The new partnership will maintain the production of a wide variety of feeds for dairy, including organic, as well as beef, swine and poultry production.

"This investment represents a strategic new entry into Ontario's agricultural market, but this time, into the animal nutrition industry," said Ghislain Gervais, president of La Coop fédérée. "This partnership increases La Coop fédérée's portfolio of operations in the province and demonstrates how important it is for us to provide farmers with high quality animal nutrition solutions, all throughout the country."

"WS Feed & Supply has all the qualities that we look for in a business partner: shared values that put the needs of customers at the heart of operations, great quality products, strong presence in Southern Ontario and steady growth in key livestock production markets" said Sébastien Léveillé, La Coop fédérée's executive agri-business vice-president.

The transaction is consistent with La Coop fédérée's sustainable growth plan in Canada with partners "who share our values and work to bring prosperity to Canadian farm families," the company stated.

- La Coop fédéré