BLUMENORT, Man. – Adam Brandt cups a chick in his hands and gently runs his fingers along its back.
The chick appears tiny, even in the hands of Adam, a nine year old whose parents, Bernie and Audrey Brandt, farm near Blumenort.
But the tiny tuft of yellow down is part of a growing industry in Manitoba that in late September paused to celebrate three years of rapid expansion.
Manitoba chicken producers learned three years ago that more quota would be allocated to the province to produce chicken meat. The increased quota offered a chance to expand existing flocks while also bringing new players to the industry.
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Chicken producers seized the opportunity. Established producers extended existing barns or built new ones.
Fourteen new farms were attracted to the industry, pushing the number of producers raising broiler chickens to 128.
The Brandt family at Blumenort built a new barn and upgraded their existing one two years ago.
They paid close attention to features that improved production while keeping costs in line.
“Every time we get an increase, it is a very positive thing,” Bernie said.
“It made us a little bit more busy. On the other hand, it made us a lot more efficient.”
A growing consumer appetite for chicken is driving the Manitoba expansion, which has seen 1.8 million kilograms added to Manitoba’s basic allotment in the last three years.
The province’s total basic quota is expected to hit 6.9 million kg per seven-week cycle this year.
Meanwhile, farm cash receipts to the chicken industry are projected to reach $55 million this year. Cash receipts a decade ago were $37 million.
“We’ve gone through some exciting times,” said Fred Homann, general manager of the Manitoba Chicken Producer Board.
“It hasn’t all been easy. Whenever you go through these kinds of change, there are going to be some bumps in the road.”
The hatcheries, feed mills, and poultry packers grew in step with the expansion.
Granny’s Poultry Co-operative Ltd., one of the largest poultry processors in Manitoba, built a $10 million expansion at its Blumenort plant last year. It allows for extra capacity for the future.
Dunn-Rite Food Products Ltd., also a major player in poultry processing, has invested millions of dollars in recent years to upgrade its Winnipeg plant.
Producers “responded admirably” to the growing market demand for chicken meat, said Ray St. Hilaire, general manager of Dunn-Rite’s production division.
Lending institutions were also busy as producers looked for the capital to expand.
The Steinbach Credit Union provided financing for several barn operators.
Producers have overbuilt barns in anticipation of further quota increases, said Eric Klippenstein, an agricultural lending representative for the credit union.
“We have confidence in providing financing to local farmers who are part of this industry.”
Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk described the expansion as “very, very successful.”
She joined a Sept. 28 bus tour and luncheon that celebrated the chicken industry’s expansion.
“We are prepared to work with you to see the industry grow so there are opportunities for you and your families,” Wowchuk said.
