FUNDING FOR WESTERN BEEF DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

The Government of Saskatchewan announced funding of $900,000 spread over the next three years to support the work of the Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC).

The government will also assign two research chairs, and provide technical support to the centre for the next five years.

"The Government of Saskatchewan recognizes the importance of the WBDC as a centre for applied beef research, and I am pleased to announce our continued support," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said.

The WBDC's mission is to be a centre for the generation and distribution of information that will improve the economic performance of Western Canada's cattle industry. Its focus is the management and economics of cow-calf production, backgrounding, grazing and forage management, and sustainable cow-calf systems.

"Through research and innovation, the WBDC will help build the Saskatchewan cow-calf and feeding industries, with links to a processing sector that can be globally competitive," Wartman added.

Minister Wartman also announced that the WBDC will be incorporated as a distinct line of business within the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI). Bringing together the two research institutions, which are both dedicated to advancing the agriculture industry through research and development, will enable greater resource sharing. This will enhance a close working relationship with the ongoing beef research community, including the University of Saskatchewan's Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture.

"This is excellent news for the beef producers of Saskatchewan," outgoing Chair of the WBDC Board of Directors Wilfred Campbell said. "The funding of the WBDC has been an ongoing challenge since its inception in 1996. This announcement from SAFRR provides the opportunity for the Centre to continue to operate and meet the needs of the industry in the years ahead."

"While this government remains committed to our long-term goal of a growing and successful livestock sector, we continue to be keenly focused on the short-term priority to get the U.S. border open to live cattle," Wartman said.

"There is no scientific reason for the border to remain closed, and I am growing increasingly frustrated with the failure of the U.S. government to act on this issue."

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For More Information, Contact:

Trish Alcorn Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-5389

Wilfred Campbell WBDC Saskatoon Phone: (306)966-4147