A joint venture between Federated Co-op and Blair’s Family of Companies has received regulatory approval to move forward.

The joint venture will acquire 7 Saskatchewan agriculture retail locations, providing crop inputs, agronomic services and animal nutrition products to farm customers near Lanigan, Liberty, Lipton, McLean, Nokomis, Rosthern and Watrous.

As a condition of regulatory approval, the joint venture will sell its interest in the Lipton location and anhydrous ammonia assets in Lipton and Balcarres.

Blair’s staff will continue to manage the day to day operations of the retail locations under the Blair’s banner.

While the sale process takes place, the Lipton location will be operated independently of the joint venture by certain members of the Blair’s management team.

With the regulatory approval, the joint venture will begin operations at the end of the month.

—-