Walking the trade show floor often leads to straightforward conversations that matter to producers. That was the case during a visit with Aiden Gillespie, who represents Farmers Depot, a division of Grand Valley Fortifiers, which also owns Fortified Nutrition at the Hog and Poultry show in Brandon, MB, in December 2025.
Gillespie showcased an on-farm incineration system designed for dead-stock management. The unit comes from Agra Incinerator Systems, the supplier Farmers Depot works with in Canada. The model on display was the 055, one of 14 models available in the Agra lineup.
This model will do about 490 kilos of carcass,” Gillespie said. “It’s a good option for producers looking at dead-stock removal through incineration.”
Interest in incineration continues to grow, especially where bio-security pressures increase. Gillespie said Farmers Depot has already sold ten units across Canada, with one installed in Alberta and nine in Ontario. None operate in Manitoba yet, but that is precisely why the company attended the show.
“We’re hoping someone in Manitoba will invest in one,” he said. “It helps when producers can talk to other producers about how it works.”
Bio-security drives much of the interest. Gillespie said incineration allows producers to remove dead-stock immediately, rather than relying on piles or pickup systems that can attract scavengers.
“It’s a good bio-security option,” he said. “You get rid of the dead-stock right away and avoid scavengers dragging disease from farm to farm.”
That concern resonates most strongly with high bio-security operations. Gillespie pointed to sow barns and genetic facilities as operations that place extra importance on dead-stock control.
“They want to make sure dead-stock gets handled properly,” he said. “This gives them another option.”
Odour also plays a major role in producer decision-making. Dead-stock management can produce strong odours, especially in warm weather or when carcasses sit for extended periods.
“Often the biggest issue is odour,” Gillespie said.
The Agra system addresses that concern through high-temperature combustion. Gillespie said the unit burns at 850 degrees Celsius, eliminating visible smoke and smell.
“You don’t have odour or smoke coming out of the chimney,” he said.
The incinerator reduces everything placed inside to a small amount of ash. Gillespie said the system leaves no bones behind.
“It burns everything down to about three percent,” he said. “There are no bones left. It’s just ash.”
From a setup standpoint, installation remains straightforward but requires planning. Gillespie said the unit weighs about 2.5 tonnes. Producers need a solid cement pad or an indoor location that can support that weight.
“They need a good cement pad, or they can put it inside a building,” he said.
Indoor installation requires routing the chimney through the roof. Outdoor installation needs appropriate placement and clearance. In either case, producers must connect a fuel source and power.
“It runs on natural gas or propane,” Gillespie said. “It also needs one electrical circuit for the fans and the electronic controller.”
Farmers Depot includes several costs upfront when pricing the unit. Gillespie said freight, gas inspection, and electrical inspection are part of the quoted price. Producers handle the final gas and electrical hookups on their farms.
“We price it all in,” he said. “The farmer takes care of the hookup.”
Pricing discussions usually come later in the sales process. Gillespie noted that Farmers Depot offered a show special to encourage early adoption, particularly in Manitoba.
“We want to get one here so producers can see it working,” he said. “That helps others make decisions.”
The systems come from overseas, with final assembly elements closer to home. Gillespie said the incinerators are manufactured in England and shipped to Canada by container. The burners themselves come from Canadian suppliers.
“That part gets made in Canada,” he said.
That combination of international manufacturing and domestic components appeals to some producers who value local service support alongside proven designs.
As dead-stock management options face increased scrutiny from regulators, neighbours, and processors, producers continue to evaluate alternatives. Incineration does not suit every farm, but it adds another tool for operations focused on bio-security, odour control, and rapid carcass disposal.
Gillespie said the response at the show suggested growing curiosity.
“People look at it,” he said. “They ask how it works and how others use it.”
For now, Manitoba producers continue to rely on existing systems. Farmers Depot hopes that changes as awareness grows and as producers see the technology operating in prairie conditions.
“Experience matters,” Gillespie said. “Once someone has one running, others want to hear about it.”
As with many technologies in livestock production, adoption often starts with a single operation willing to try something new. Incineration now waits for that first step in Manitoba. •
— By Harry Siemens