Feds, province invest $5M in 28 agricultural research projects

A number of agricultural researchers in Saskatchewan are getting more than $5 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments.

On Wednesday, the governments jointly announced 28 projects related to livestock and forage will receive $5.1 million through the province’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

Thirteen of the projects also will receive $483,000 from the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, the Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission and Sask Milk.

“Research and innovation are major priorities for our government, and the ADF was created to reinforce work being done that is relevant to the future growth and competitiveness of Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry and the many producers and processors who make it what it is,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a release.

“These investments in research will ensure Saskatchewan continues to set the standard when it comes to new ideas and approaches that support progress and best practices in agriculture not only here but around the world.”

The projects this year include the potential of native and tame forage species to enhance carbon sequestration, expanded methods for reproduction diagnostics, and improved control and treatments with respect to animal health.

The ADF is supported through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3-billion investment in research by federal, provincial and territorial governments.

Beef import suspension lifted by South Korea

Also Wednesday, South Korea announced it was lifting a temporary suspension of Canadian beef imports that was imposed in December.

South Korea, China and the Philippines all suspended imports after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, was discovered in Alberta.

This morning, South Korea announced that it would lift the temporary suspension on beef imports imposed last month after the discovery of an atypical BSE case in Alberta. Great news for our cattle sector, who provide the world with safe, high-quality beef #CdnBeef #CdnAg

— Marie-Claude Bibeau (@mclaudebibeau) January 19, 2022