PRAIRIE SWINE CENTRE FUNDING ANNOUNCED BY SASKATCHEWAN GOVERNMENT

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested in the future of the Saskatchewan pork industry with a five-year, $1.65-million investment in the Prairie Swine Centre (PSC).

"This funding will help maintain the competitive position of Saskatchewan's pork producers in the world market," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said.

"The innovative research conducted at the Prairie Swine Centre addresses the needs of primary producers and their suppliers, as well as the packing industry. The centre is a world-class example of applied agricultural research, and Saskatchewan benefits first from this knowledge."

Prairie Swine Centre Inc. is a non-profit research corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan, and is recognized globally for its contributions to practical, applied science in pork production in the disciplines of nutrition, engineering and animal behaviour.

"The continued support of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food ensures the Prairie Swine Centre remains a global leader in applied research, which in turn ensures that the Saskatchewan industry has a competitive economic advantage," Prairie Swine Centre Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. John Patience said. "Our research also focuses on ensuring a safe and healthy work environment in the barn. All this leads to a balance among animal productivity, welfare and meat quality in our overall research program and in the information we provide to the Saskatchewan pork industry."

Established in 1992, near Saskatoon at Floral, the Prairie Swine Centre tripled its research capacity in 2000 with the addition of PSC Elstow Research Farm near Elstow. The Elstow Barn also houses the Pork Interpretive Gallery, a unique science centre which focuses on education and the science of pork production by allowing groups to visit and see firsthand the inner workings of a modern pig farm. Opened in the fall of 2003, the Pork Interpretive Gallery has hosted more than 3,000 visitors to date.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-4031	Dr. Abdul Jalil Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-5960
Lee Whittington Prairie Swine Centre Saskatoon Phone: (306) 667-7447