EFA
What does EFA stand for?
Egg Farmers of Alberta
What is the difference between a white and brown egg?
Nothing! Just the colour of the shell. Nutritionally they are the exact same.
Which hens lay which eggs?
White hens lay white eggs and brown hens lay brown eggs
What type of housing unit do we have at Stampede?
Furnished housing unit - nesting area, scratch pads, perches
What is your role as an egg ambassador?
Represent the 170 egg farmers in Alberta, Canadian Egg Farmers, EFA, Farm families
How long has EFA been a governing board? (hint: this year we are celebrating it)
50 years!
Absolutely not. Eggs that are bought in the store must go through a grading station and stamped as a graded egg. All eggs are unfertilized.
Are the birds happy in the cage?
Yes, of course. They have access to food and water and can express their natural behaviors.
What is our egg food truck called?
Crack'd YYC with Chef Jordon Henkel
Who do we engage with at the Stampede?
Everyone! Consumers, general public, industry, GOvernment partners, media
What is EFA's vision statement / four pillars?
healthy birds, healthy eggs, healthy farms and healthy communities
What is the difference between a free run egg and a free range egg / difference in housing units?
Free run housing units, the birds are able to express a wider variety of natural behaviors - run along the barn ground
Free range housing units - same as free run, with access to outdoors and is mandatory for organic eggs
Which housing system is best?
All the housing units are different and no one is the same. It depends what your values are ie. price, animal welfare etc. ** all producers treat their hens humanely and all hens welfare is top priority
What does Omega 3 egg mean and is it better than a regular egg?
These eggs come from hens that were provided feed containing extra flax (up to 10-20%). As a result, the eggs laid by these hens contain more Omega-3 fatty acids.
Call the Stampede emergency number or talk calmly to the person and be respectful. You can ask them to kindly walk away
How many egg producers are in Alberta and where do they supply their eggs?
over 170 producers in Alberta and they supply local eggs that are on the grocery store between 24 hours and 10 days
what classifies "organic eggs"
They must have certified organic feed and must be a free range egg
What do you do if you see one of the birds is hurt or bleeding?
Immediately grab a farmer and ask them to remove the bird and put into separate box in the back. Call Angie or Stampede vet to take away from exhibit
You get a question about politics and Trump around the new tariffs. They are wondering if this will affect egg price?
No, if anything this has increased the value and importance of supply chain management
Name all of the events EFA participates in each year.
Easter Eggstravaganza, Aggie Days Calgary, Aggie Days Lethbridge, Amazing Ag & Stampede
What is the food safety licensing program Alberta producers must follow
The national egg industry's - Start Clean - Stay Clean on-farm food safety program
Are there any hormones and/ or steroids in eggs? Antibiotics?
Hormones and steroids are illegal in Canada. Antibiotics are not routinely used to treat hens but if there is a need to treat a specific illness, antibiotics may be prescribed by a poultry veterinarian. Explain when people and kids get sick they are given antibiotics so they can get better.
What is your response?
We're happy you are buying eggs and enjoying eggs. Eggs from a farmers market are often ungraded and older than eggs that are in the grocery store though. Just be careful because ungraded can mean there might be a possible contamination
We are part of Supply Management - who are the four other commodities under SM?
Alberta Milk, Alberta Chicken, Alberta Hatching Egg, Alberta Turkey