Livestock, forage-related research projects get funding from federal, provincial governments

The federal and provincial governments are helping livestock and forage-related research projects in Saskatchewan.

Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced nearly $3.5 million in funding for 24 projects. Support for the projects is provided through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

“Our government is proud to support research that helps our livestock producers solve problems and put more of their world-class beef products on the tables of families across the country and around the world,” MacAulay said in a news release.

“Saskatchewan is a world-class agricultural research hub and home to farmers and ranchers that excel at producing high-quality food,” Stewart said. “Continued investments in research through the ADF ensure we have the tools and knowledge to sustainably grow the livestock sector.”

Projects include research into the prevention of bovine respiratory disease, the effect of ergot-contaminated feed on bull fertility, the development of new forage varieties and the modification of swine diets to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, among others.

Industry groups are also providing an additional $280,000 in funding.

Earlier in January, the federal and provincial governments announced $7.7 million for 46 crop-related research projects.