UFA Co-operative Ltd. is expanding its crop input business in central Alberta with the acquisition of Ponoka Fertilizer and Bashaw Crop Services.

The Calgary-based agricultural co-operative announced the acquisitions Aug. 4, adding two established independent businesses to its fertilizer and crop-input network.

The purchases strengthen UFA’s presence between several of its existing Alberta locations and increase its fertilizer blending capacity in the region. UFA currently offers bulk fertilizer, custom fertilizer blends and direct-to-farm delivery through its network of fertilizer facilities.

Both Ponoka Fertilizer and Bashaw Crop Services are expected to continue operating with their existing employees and a local customer focus.

Ponoka Fertilizer owner Dan Lea said in UFA’s announcement that joining the co-operative will allow the business to continue serving producers while providing opportunities to expand on what has already been developed.

Bashaw Crop Services has been an established agricultural supplier in the Bashaw area, offering farm crop services and fertilizer to producers in the region.

The acquisitions are part of a broader period of expansion for UFA.

The co-operative has traditionally had its strongest presence in Alberta but has been extending its retail and petroleum network farther across the Prairies.

UFA has 13 locations in Saskatchewan, including 12 petroleum cardlocks and a farm and ranch store at Emerald Park, which opened this spring. More Saskatchewan locations are expected to open before the end of the year.

The company is also entering Manitoba.

A new UFA cardlock and bulk petroleum location is under construction in Portage la Prairie and is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027. It will be the co-operative’s first location in Manitoba.

UFA president and CEO Fred Thun said the Ponoka and Bashaw acquisitions address areas where the co-operative had fewer fertilizer-blending services and strengthen its existing network.

UFA sells crop inputs, petroleum products and farm and ranch supplies and operates a network of stores, cardlocks and agricultural facilities across Western Canada.

The purchase price for the two central Alberta businesses was not disclosed.