Construction of a new $2.4 million feed mill at Stoughton will begin this fall and be ready for production by next year, shareholders were told at the mill's first annual meeting.

Approximately 50 shareholders were present for the annual meeting held on June 26 at Stoughton, where chairman Greg Goudy reported the first share offering was successful. He said about $1 million in shares was sold to local investors during 2002-03, and commented, "The commitment of project promoters was instrumental in this successful share offering."

The commercial duty feed mill will be built just east of the junction of Highways 13 and 47, with phase one to begin this fall.

Final planning and design is currently underway with FWS Construction and GJ VIS enterprises of Winnipeg. Where possible, the contractor has indicated they will use local suppliers and sub-contractors on the project.

The feed mill will provide a market opportunity for local grain producers, as the mill will need more than one million bushels of feed grain, or the production from 30,000 acres. Depending on the needs of their customers, this will include feed wheat, barley, oats, peas and hulless barley. "We hope this mill will not only offer a new market for local farmers, but also be a stimulus for increased livestock production in the southeast region of Sask.," said Goudy.

The mill will offer custom feeds, premixes, supplements, and protein ingredients for all classes of livestock as well as bulk pelleted feeds and specialty feeds, such as for pets, cattle supplement blocks and various medicated feeds. National and feed formulation services will also be available, with some of these products and services offered through a partnership with a major feed company.