The Province and the Federal government renewing their commitment to invest in livestock related research.

Overall, 7.5-million dollars is moving into the industry through the ADF Fund for livestock and forage-related research.

That includes 4.1-million dollars for 24 livestock and forage-related research projects and nearly $3.5 million in operational
funding for the Prairie Swine Centre and VIDO ( the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization) at the University of Saskatchewan.

Agriculture Minister Marie Claude Bibeau says the projects will help to advance important research so our farmers can find even more sustainable and efficient ways to produce this food and continue to grow the sector.

Agriculture Minister David Marit says through the ADF, producers benefit from research into new forage varieties, improved livestock feeding systems and management of animal diseases that drive industry growth.

"This year’s projects will expand the growth potential of the industry by exploring topics such as water quality, cost of production, diagnostics supports, animal health, forage production, quality and breeding. Innovation helps our producers meet the Saskatchewan Growth Plan objectives of increasing livestock cash receipts to $3 billion and increasing value-added revenue to $10 billion by 2030."

Projects are awarded on a competitive basis and are selected based on their ability to create future growth opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of the industry.

The province says the research will affect producers across commodities with studies that benefit bees, bison, beef cattle, swine, poultry, dairy cattle and sheep.

In addition to funds committed by the federal and provincial governments, livestock and forage research projects announced this year are also receiving nearly $324,000 from the following partners: Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, Saskatchewan Forage and Seed Development Commission, Saskatchewan Alfalfa Seed Producers Development Commission, SaskMilk and Alberta Milk.

ADF is supported through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $388 million agreement between the federal and provincial governments to invest in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture.