News Animal Health
Canada, Saskatchewan invest $6 million in livestock, forage research

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced $6 million in funding for research activities on livestock and forage. The funding is provided through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership and support 34 new scientific projects.

Research topics receiving funding include developing water quality test kits for agricultural ponds in Saskatchewan, developing economic thresholds and sampling plans for lesser clover leaf weevil in red clover, and development of an effective, multivalent vaccine to control foot rot in cattle.

In addition to the federal-provincial ADF funding, a total of $288,530 for 12 livestock and forage projects was contributed by seven industry co-funders:

• Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission
• Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association
• Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission
• Sask Milk
• Alberta Milk
• Results Driven Agriculture Research

“Investment in research is a cornerstone for the growth of our industry,” said Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association chair Arnold Balicki in a statement. “Saskatchewan beef producers value projects that focus on priorities such as increasing the nutritional value of forage or better managing their herd’s health, which leads to more profitability on their operations. We are pleased to see both the federal and provincial governments partnering with us and ensuring this essential research is adequately funded.”