As the poultry industry responds to growing environmental challenges and consumer demand for transparency, a new generation of farmers is stepping up with bold, system-wide solutions. In this two-part profile, Canadian Poultry highlights two operations redefining what sustainability looks like in Canadian egg and turkey production.
With practices ranging from on-farm feed milling and precision composting to solar energy and smart barn tech, these farms are showing how innovation and stewardship can work hand in hand.
Hayter’s Farm: from poult to plate
Hayter’s Farm has spent over 75 years producing high-quality turkey products with a clear focus on sustainability. As the only turkey farm in Canada that raises birds and processes products entirely on-site, the Dashwood, Ont.-based farm has created a rare “poult-to-plate” model.
This approach minimizes environmental impact while maximizing control over animal welfare, food safety, and product quality.
This vertically integrated approach not only ensures product consistency but also reduces emissions, waste, and resource use across the entire production chain.
The power of integration
“At Hayter’s, everything happens here,” says Sean Maguire, CEO of Hayter’s Turkey Products. “We raise our birds from one day old, process them on-site, compost our litter and byproducts here, and even sell directly to customers through our farm store. That level of integration is key to both our environmental and financial sustainability.”
By eliminating the need to transport birds between separate facilities, Hayter’s significantly cuts fuel use and emissions.
Tractor-drawn flatbeds replace long-haul trucking, while on-site composting of litter and inedible byproducts reduces the volume of waste sent off-farm. Each link in the chain is optimized to work efficiently within the same footprint.
Smart technologies reduce waste
Modern barn technology plays a central role in reducing the farm’s environmental impact. Hayter’s uses the Rotem Platinum Plus system to remotely monitor barn temperatures, water, and feed consumption, helping the team maintain healthy and comfortable environments with precision.
Another tool, the PrevTech monitoring system, flags electrical issues in real time – helping prevent equipment failure and fire risk while conserving energy. Automated weighing systems track bird growth and alert staff to any changes in feed or water consumption, enabling swift intervention that avoids unnecessary feed use and medical treatments.
“These technologies keep us proactive, not reactive,” says Maguire. “If something’s off, we know right away.”
Packaging with a lighter footprint
Sustainability continues beyond the barn. On the processing side, Hayter’s has adopted the Multivac R 245 Thermoformer, which uses roll-stock packaging to reduce plastic waste. This switch has cut tray thickness by 30 per cent, and the machine’s modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) feature extends product shelf life – reducing spoilage and the need for preservatives or wasteful overproduction.
“We’re shipping less plastic across the country and reducing food waste,” Maguire explains. “That’s a win-win.”
Antibiotic stewardship and welfare
Hayter’s antibiotic-use policy is grounded in restraint. “We don’t use antibiotics for digestive health or prevention,” says Maguire. “We only treat when necessary and under veterinary supervision.”
This measured approach not only supports animal health and public trust but also contributes to responsible stewardship of environmental microbiomes.
Frequent barn checks, natural ventilation, and close monitoring of bird behavior all ensure that welfare is prioritized. A healthy bird, Maguire emphasizes, is the foundation of a sustainable operation.
Certifications drive improvement
Hayter’s food safety certifications – including BRC and Halal – also align with its sustainability mission. BRC’s continuous improvement framework requires the team to regularly assess and refine their processes.
“These audits don’t just focus on safety,” Maguire explains. “They push us to be more efficient in how we use water, energy, and materials. It’s a mindset that keeps us moving forward.”
Water conservation and the future
Looking ahead, Hayter’s is preparing for a major processing plant expansion that includes a more efficient water-chilling system. The farm currently uses about 14,000 gallons of water per day for chilling. With the new cold-hold system, up to 20,000 gallons of water will be recirculated, filtered, and reused across multiple days – greatly reducing water use per bird while maintaining strict food safety standards. “We’re proving we can do more with less,” says Maguire.
Community roots, sustainable growth
Hayter’s sustainability mission also includes deep community engagement. From hosting the Turkey Ontario Tour to supporting local charities, the farm recognizes its responsibility as a land steward and employer in southwestern Ontario.
“These are the communities we live in, where our people work,” says Maguire. “It’s in our interest to grow sustainably and give back.”
Turkey as a weekly protein
One of the farm’s long-term sustainability goals is cultural as well as environmental: to make turkey a weekly staple on Canadian dinner tables.
By offering a growing variety of lean, protein-rich products in everyday formats – like burgers, roasts, and filets – Hayter’s aims to reduce the need for long-term cold storage and seasonal surges in whole bird demand.
“The more often Canadians eat turkey, the more efficient we can be across the board,” says Maguire.
More than a slogan
Hayter’s Farm has made sustainability more than a slogan – it’s built into the architecture of their operation. Through smart integration, technological innovation, and a commitment to responsible farming, this Dashwood-based turkey producer offers a compelling model of what sustainable poultry production can look like – today and in the years to come.
Lakeland Farms: Closed-loop sustainable Vision
On their farm located in Salmon Arm, B.C., Mike and Sarah Schroeder are reshaping what sustainability looks like in poultry production. From on-farm feed milling to smart barn technologies, their operation – Lakeland Farms and its sister company, Lakeland Feed Inc. – is built on closed-loop principles that prioritize soil health, bird welfare, and long-term economic viability.
Regional feed solution
Mike’s agricultural roots run deep. Raised on a dairy farm in the Fraser Valley, he studied agricultural business and animal science before returning to farming with Sarah in 2015. After establishing a successful organic grain and forage operation, they entered the egg sector in 2017 through B.C. Egg’s New Producer Program. A year later, their first flock was placed.
From the outset, the Schroeders recognized a critical gap in organic feed accessibility in B.C.’s interior. Rather than rely on long-haul shipments from the coast, they built their own certified organic feed mill – Lakeland Feed Inc. – which now services both their own birds and a growing number of regional producers.
“At the time, we were shipping feed hundreds of kilometres,” says Mike. “Now, many of our ingredients are grown right on the farm, and the distance from field to mill is often just meters.”
Recycling nutrients, regenerating soils
Lakeland’s system is fully certified organic – from fields to feed to barns. Crop fertility is supported by composted manure from the layer operation, carefully blended with dairy pack and sawdust, and customized with amendments like gypsum based on field-specific needs. This nutrient cycling reduces reliance on external fertilizers and improves soil health over time.
Cover cropping, rigorous soil and tissue testing, and a focus on micronutrient balance further demonstrate the Schroeders’ commitment to regenerative principles. “Because we control every part of the supply chain, we’re able to fine-tune for yield, nutrient density, and soil longevity,” says Mike.
Smart barns for a changing climate
Their commitment to efficiency and bird welfare continued with a recent expansion of their layer barn, which doubled capacity from 4,500 to 9,200 hens. Alongside this growth came a suite of environmental upgrades: heat exchangers, an AI-integrated climate control system, cooling pads, shade cloths, and misting systems to reduce heat stress – an increasingly urgent concern as B.C.’s summers grow hotter.
The heat exchangers alone have had a noticeable impact. “We went through a -25°C stretch without needing much supplemental gas heat. Our air quality and dust levels have improved, and bird health has followed suit,” Mike explains.
Preventative care through precision nutrition
Even preventive flock health ties back to their sustainability vision. With in-house control of feed production, Lakeland can incorporate essential oils, yeast-based prebiotics, and toxin binders – natural additives that support gut health and reduce dependence on antibiotics. The ability to monitor performance across multiple flocks through their commercial feed clients also gives them a broader dataset to make informed adjustments.
Though still relatively new to the egg industry, the Schroeders have grown rapidly and methodically. As the farm scales, they’re investing in staff training, SOPs, and support from agronomists and nutritionists to maintain the same level of detail across each aspect of their operation.
Looking Ahead: Smarter, cleaner, stronger
Looking ahead, Mike sees exciting potential in solar energy, precision nutrient management, and the integration of artificial intelligence in barn systems. “We’re using the best barn technology available now, but I think the next wave – especially with AI – will really push things forward,” he says.
What sets Lakeland Farms apart isn’t just its use of sustainable practices, but how those practices are woven into every facet of the business. Whether it’s converting manure into tailored compost, turning cover crops into feed, or using modern climate controls to reduce emissions and improve welfare, the Schroeders are proving that sustainability isn’t a side project – it’s a systems approach.
Their operation stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when environmental and economic goals are pursued together, one sustainable step at a time.
Five ways Hayter’s Farm champions sustainability
- Poult-to-Plate Integration:
Raising, processing, and retailing all on-site reduces transportation emissions and improves efficiency.
- Smart Barn Tech:
Tools like Rotem Platinum Plus and PrevTech monitor conditions to conserve energy and ensure bird health.
- Waste Reduction:
On-site composting and roll-stock packaging minimize plastic use and food waste.
- Antibiotic Stewardship:
Medications are used only when necessary, promoting responsible animal care and environmental health.
- Water Efficiency:
New chilling systems aim to recycle water, cutting daily usage while maintaining food safety standards.
