Feds invest $14 million in beef R&D
By Food in Canada staff
Business Operations Food Safety Research & DevelopmentResearch cluster will focus on ways to keep the sector competitive
Calgary, Alta. – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is investing $14 million in the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). The funding will help the organization lead a research cluster of industry experts, scientists and universities working on innovations to help keep the sector competitive.
Research will centre on improving beef quality and food safety; animal health and welfare, including detection and prevention of animal disease; feed production and efficiency; and environmental sustainability.
The investment comes after an earlier $8.7-million federal investment in a beef research cluster focused on reducing production costs, increasing feed efficiency and decreasing the impact of animal health issues.
“Research drives the improved production efficiencies that enable cattle producers to raise more beef using fewer resources,” says CCA president Martin Unrau. “The research objectives of the Beef Cattle Industry Science Cluster under Growing Forward 2 will build on the successes of the first cluster and further improve efficiencies that enhance the overall sustainability of Canada’s beef cattle industry.”
Results from the first beef research cluster suggest that cattle producers could reduce their total feeding costs by 27 to 45 per cent by swath grazing corn or triticale during winter months, a move that could save the sector $6 million annually.
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