Regional Development Minister, Geoff Brock said the Days Eggs project to build a new free range egg production facility on a 324 hectare property at Port Germein would boost the regional economy, as well as supplying local free range eggs to South Australian customers.

"This is a significant expansion of the company’s free range production facilities," Mr Brock said.

"The construction of six sheds and new farms at Port Germein will create around 20 jobs with the farm employing 12 ongoing additional staff.

"The $500,000 grant from the Major Projects Program of the expanded $15 million a year Regional Development Fund will result in an improved skill base in poultry farming and egg production for new employees," Mr Brock said.

"The increased local production of eggs will reduce reliance on interstate imports meaning South Australians will be able to more easily buy locally produced free range eggs.

"Days Eggs will be using locally sourced grains for their feed requirements and local transport options will be used to distribute the eggs," Mr Brock said.

Managing Director of Days Eggs, Dion Andary said that the State Government’s support for the Port Germein Farms project was a vote of confidence, not only in the company, but in the region’s economy.

"Days Eggs is a proudly South Australian company and our new Port Germein Farms will see us significantly expanding our free range egg production," Mr Andary said.

"Thanks to the Regional Development Fund grant, we’ll be able to get started soon on construction of the first sheds, as well as a manager’s residence and general infrastructure.

"We will be purchasing new grading equipment at Two Wells to accommodate increased volumes. We are anticipating 4,000 dozen per day by the middle of 2015.

"Our free range stocking rate is In line with the State Government’s proposed 1500 Free Range Accreditation concept and also satisfies the higher density commercial production volumes of free range egg requirements, ensuring lower cost, genuine free range eggs for South Australian consumers.

"We are looking forward to sourcing our grain from the Yorke and Mid North region, which we regard as the best we can find for our free range chickens," Mr Andary said.