Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund has allocated $2.5 million for 21 livestock and forage research projects.
Agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud said the money has leveraged another $1.5 million in third-party funding.
The money will fund cattle, forage, swine, meat processing, bison and sheep research.
Most of it – $1.7 million – is going to the University of Saskatchewan, but other institutions to benefit include the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, Western Beef Development Centre, Saskatchewan Bison Association and Prairie Swine Centre.
Bjornerud said it takes time for the investment to pay off.
“Of course research doesn’t happen overnight,” he told reporters.
However, he said producers can count on long-term benefits at the farmgate.
For example, the bison research will focus on benchmarking cost of production and performance measures.
“It will not only benefit existing producers but will be an invaluable tool for new producers to assist in the development of sound business plans required to attract capital,” said bison association president Mark Silzer.
