Agriculture

Helping build value-added processing capacity and supporting industry as it pursues new opportunities. FPDC is a modern, 65,000 square foot pilot plant and product development laboratory. The centre, located in Leduc, AB, is equipped with more than $20,000,000 in equipment that supports food product innovation along the full development and commercialization continuum

• Clients can access technical consultation, benchtop development, pilot plant development, scale-up, business development, applied research and interim processing services.
• Product and process development and scale-up
• Business development
• Laboratory support
• Applied research
• Consultation services
• Interim processing
• Post processing cleaning
• Handling and storage

Source: alberta.ca

1. The National Bee Diagnostic Centre (NBDC) was the first comprehensive laboratory in Canada to provide a full array of diagnostic services for honeybee and native bee pests, pathogens, and parasites.
2. Our applied research projects and programming focus on pollinator health and sustainable agriculture practices for commercial and hobby beekeepers, researchers, conservationists, agriculture producers and hobbyists. Ongoing research utilizes the latest microbiology, microscopy and molecular techniques to identify pathogens that affect pollinator health.
3. As the broader agro ecosystem plays a vital role in crop pollinator heath, and with that in mind, the NBDC is expanding its research and services to include regenerative agriculture projects, soil health and conservation.
4. Diagnostics and molecular service, Honey bee diagnostics, Varroa/hive inspections, Hive sampling, Chemical residue analyses, Honey bee hygienic behavior testing, Africanized/Queen genetic testing, Honey bee Queen health testing, Custom diagnostic services and support, Bumble-bee specific diseases, Alfalfa leafcutter bee diagnostics, Pollinator identification (morphologic and DNA barcoding), Bee pollen diet diversity analyses (DNA metabarcoding), Honey floral composition analyses, Pollinator diversity, ecology, and conservation services, Bee species diversity monitoring, Entomologic services and taxonomic species identification, Habitat enhancement and landscape consultations, Crop pollination consultation, Wild pollinator habitat and floral resources enhancement, 
5. NBDC also offers the following services: Support and molecular laboratory training for graduate students and interns, Applied research support, Technology transfer, Expertise for speaking events, Stakeholder support, Thinking of a specialized service not listed here? Contact us to discuss your project.
6. Equipment: Our goal is to provide access to equipment for experienced users and to provide a training environment in which researchers can acquire and use molecular biology techniques. The following table lists the available facilities and equipment at the NBDC, as well as fees (if applicable).
7. Facilities: Level 2 Containment Lab, 5-room molecular suite, 4-day sample delivery/reception (all of Canada), Live insect sample capability, Import permitting assistance
8. Specialized Equipment: Next Generation Sequencer (MiSeq)
9. Fluorescence microscope, Microtome (cryostat), Phase contrast compound microscopes, Real time thermocyclers, End-point thermocyclers, Gel imager, Spectrophotometer, Hybridization oven, Anaerobic incubators, Shaking incubator, Sample homogenizers, Dissecting microscopic with digital capabilities, A variety of benchtop equipment (centrifuges, vortexes, heat blocks, etc).

Source: nwpolytech.ca

Three quick entry pathways for skilled workers under the Global Skills Strategy:

1. Short-duration work permit exemptions
2. Two-week processing for high-skilled talent
3. Global Talent Stream

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1. Companies that invest in (R&D) in Canada can take advantage of the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) up to 50% tax incentive program.

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Accelerated Investment Incentive provides an enhanced capital cost allowance (CCA) on equipment purchases. Full expensing in the first year for manufacturing and processing (M&P) and clean energy equipment purchases.

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The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) supports Canada as a top destination for businesses to invest through five Streams:

Stream 1: Encourage R&D that will accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of innovative products, processes and services;

Stream 2: Facilitate the growth and expansion of firms in Canada;

Stream 3: Attract and retain large scale investments to Canada;

Stream 4: Advance industrial research, development and technology demonstration through collaboration between the private sector, researchers and non-profit organizations; and

Stream 5: Support large-scale, national innovation ecosystems through high impact collaborations across Canada.

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Our region provides accessibility to reliable and cheap inputs necessary in the food processing industry complemented by competitive energy prices and a sustainable water supply. In addition, Grande Prairie has a strong reputation in its agricultural sector concentrated in canola, wheat, barley, alfalfa, dry field peas, oats, cattle, pig, and poultry.

• Canola
• Barley
• Alfalfa
• Dry Field Peas
• Oats  

In addition to the above benefits, greenhouse agriculture benefits from Grande Prairie’s substantial amount of sunlight per year. Since Grande Prairie has a strong reputation in its agricultural sector, a vertical expansion of its agriculture industry can benefit from the strong reputation.

1. • CANOLA AND OILSEED MILLING
   • VEGETABLE PROCESSING
   • MEAT AND SPECIALTY MEAT MANUFACTURING
   • SNACK FOODS AND FUNCTIONAL FOODS
   • NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS AND BEVERAGES
   • PULSE PROCESSING
   • PREPARED ANIMAL FEEDS
   • MALT

   Alberta’s food processing sector has seen rapid growth. In 2020, it was the province’s largest manufacturing sector with $15.5 billion in food manufacturing sales.

Alberta’s arable lands, abundance of sunshine and extensive irrigation network makes it an ideal place to produce primary agricultural products.

• Canola seed
• Pulses (peas, beans, faba beans, chickpeas and lentils)
• Barley
• Live cattle