Goat farm will use federal loan to expand its processing activity

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

by SUSAN MANN

Eastern Ontario’s Skotidakis Goat Farm has received a $4.2 million federal government loan to expand its facilities and introduce new production technology designed to handle its goat/cow milk blends for cheese manufacturing.

Glengarry, Prescott, Russell MP Pierre Lemieux, parliamentary secretary for Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced the funding last week. The money was provided through the Enabling Commercialization and Adoption section of the AgriInnovation program under Growing Forward 2. The AgriInnovation program runs for five years and has funding of up to $698 million. Of that, $468 million is available for funding projects from industry applicants, while the rest of the money is for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada-led research and knowledge transfer activities and program administration.

John Skotidakis, president, says the funding they received is an interest-free loan. The company will be using the money to expand its current 50,000-square-foot facility by 27,500 square feet and introduce innovative production technology, which is specifically designed for its blend of goat and cow milk. The company plans to increase production of its ricotta and Greek feta cheeses.

The farm, located near St-Eugene, Ontario was incorporated in 1993 and is family owned and managed. The farm’s website says they have 3,000 goats and 1,500 acres.

In addition to cheeses, the Skotidakis’ manufacture Greek yogurt, and yogurt-based dips. They also cater to the food service industry and provide industrial-sized products to restaurants, manufacturers and distributors. Their products are sold across Canada and in parst of the United States.

In the federal government’s Feb. 28 press release, Lemieux says the goat and dairy sectors are significant parts of the economy in eastern Ontario.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada spokesman James Watson says by email the Enabling Commercialization and Adoption program is open to all agri-businesses across all sectors, including other cheese producers. It supports “the demonstration or commercialization of innovative products or services or the adoption of innovative technologies.”

The intent is to encourage innovations that will help companies be profitable and competitive in their markets. “Skotidakis is among a large number of applicants from across the agricultural and agri-food sector who are seeking investments under this stream,” Watson says.

Applicants are assessed using several criteria including market opportunity, technological innovation, financial capacity to meet funding obligations and repay the contribution and use of agricultural inputs. Applicants must be corporations or co-operatives and “clearly demonstrate that their projects are innovative, technically feasible, financially viable and market ready,” he explains.

The Canadian dairy processing sector represents 15 per cent of the Canadian food and beverage sector, the Feb. 28 news release says. BF