Research & Development
The Bakerview EcoDairy farm, located on 105 acres in Abbotsford, is a key component of the Nutriva Group and contributes to a shared mission, vision, and values: To improve health and well-being through innovation and collaboration. To make a difference for the common good. To be open & honest, win-win, find solutions, and make a difference.
At Bakerview Farm, we believe in growth and working hard to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. We believe in learning and improving farming practices through study, education, research, and best practices. Here is the list of research projects that we are currently working on:
1. Evaluation of Pacific Farmed Seaweed as Value-Add Components of Cattle Feed
Partners: Cascadia Seaweed, AAFC Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Spoitz Inc.
New seaweed-based feed additives developed by Cascadia Seaweed are being evaluated on Bakerview Farm to identify potential improvements in beef finishing performance, reductions in methane emissions, and desirable changes in meat quality. This collaborative project between industry and research partners aims to develop the techniques for evaluating these feed additives and expand the capacity for Bakerview Farm to pilot new ruminant nutrition products in farm settings.
2. Creating A More Sustainable Beef and Dairy Supply Chain Through Controlled Environment Agriculture and Digitization
Partners: TheoryMesh, Hydrogreen, Spoitz Inc.
New strategies to trace beef and milk supply chains are being piloted at Bakerview Farm with a specific focus on aggregating data for emissions monitoring. Beef and dairy producers are looking to reduce their overall production emissions to meet Canadian 2050 targets. A new computation platform developed by TheoryMesh will be used to track inputs in beef and dairy supply chains, with a specific focus on the energy required for feed production, transport, etc. The use of hydroponically grown animal fodder, produced using Hydrogreen units, has been shown to reduce methane emissions, improve animal performance, and limit reliance on feed transport in both beef and dairy cattle operations. This data will be tracked to show any GHG reductions within the final product value-chains.
3. Blockchain for Supply Chain Integration and Authentication
Partners: KPMG, Vytelle, Foerster-Technik, Spoitz Inc.
A complete mapping of the farm-to-fork movement of beef products through the Bakerview Farm to retail markets around BC. This project is being conducted in association with KPMG, which is working with Bakerview to pilot its blockchain encrypted information management system. It uses non-invasive monitoring devices from GrowSafe by Vytelle and Foerster-Technik to track animal feed intake and weight gain. The aim is to bolster consumer confidence by providing the health and environmental benefits of locally produced beef product.
4. Evaluation of Feeding Hydroponic Fodder for Finishing Beef Cattle
Partners: TRU, KPU, GenomeBC, Spoitz Inc.
A performance and metagenomic assessment of the effect of finishing diets on the growth rate and quality of Wagyu beef. This project aims to optimize the inherent traits that make Wagyu beef world-renowned by focusing on the economic/health impacts of different feed additive inclusion in the animal rations. Meat quality and microbial diversity will be key markers for study to create improved opportunities for high-end beef production for BC farmers.
5. Evaluation of Feeding Hydroponic Fodder on Dairy Cow Performance
Partners: Cubic Farm Systems
A thorough evaluation of hydroponically grown sprouted barley fodder (HydroGreen) as a component of dairy cattle feed. This project will determine the effects of replacing increasing amounts of Dry Matter Intake Feed (DMIF) in a high-forage, high-grain, and combination forage/grain diet with HydroGreen. Successful outcomes include increases in milk yield, beneficial impact on milk components (e.g., fat and protein), improved digestion, and changes to other less quantifiable traits (e.g., effects on reproduction).
Our Services
We have an on-site lab Fraser Analytical Services (FAS) that analyze feed and water samples to ensure optimal nutritional benefits for animals. We test the feed and water on our farm and offer these services to other farmers across western Canada. For feed & water testing click here.
Our Products
We specialize in farm fresh and traceable dairy, organic and free-range eggs and premium grass-fed beef. Our product lines include Vitala Foods dairy and egg products, EcoDairy Milk, Hanks Grass Fed Beef and FreeBird organic eggs not to mention seasonal curated ice cream, fresh berries, and on-site farm market.
“My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman and a preacher but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.”
Brenda Schoepp