Government of Canada Announces $4.47 Million for Cattle Industry in Saskatchewan

SASKATOON, May 26, 2017 /CNW/ - The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association (SCA) is partnering with the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and other stakeholder groups to build the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) near Saskatoon with the support of a $4.47 million investment from the Government of Canada.

David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, made the announcement today at the University of Saskatchewan.

The LFCE will consist of two new facilities on U of S land designed to address forage, cow-calf, beef cattle, and environmental research. Once complete in 2018, the LFCE will benefit industry and all Canadians through improvements to beef quality, food safety, productivity, and environmental sustainability.

With investments from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, the U of S, and industry, the LFCE is an excellent example of co-operation among all stakeholders to create jobs, grow the economy, and help people in their everyday lives.

PS Lametti will also deliver a keynote speech on the Government's Innovation Superclusters Initiative at Innovation Place. This $950-million program, designed to jumpstart innovation in high-growth areas where Canada is a world leader, will select up to five innovation superclusters.

Superclusters are dense areas of business activity where innovation happens and where many of the jobs of today and tomorrow are created. They attract large and small companies that collaborate with universities, colleges or not-for-profit organizations to turn ideas into solutions that can be brought to market.

The initiative is part of the Government's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to make this country a world-leading centre for innovation, create more well-paying jobs and grow the middle class.

Quick Facts

• The $37.5 million LFCE will unite all areas of livestock and forage research under a single complex of field laboratories and science labs.
• Other funding contributions to date include $10 million from the federal and provincial governments through the Growing Forward 2 program, $10 million from the U of S, and $1 million from the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association.
• Building on a strong network of partnerships, the LFCE will improve livestock production across Canada and around the globe.
• The Innovation and Skills Plan includes $950 million over five years to create innovation superclusters.

Quotes

"Canada's farmers, ranchers, and food processors are the foundation of our food sector. The Government of Canada supports the development of the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence to help improve all aspects of beef cattle production and benefit both producers and consumers in Canada."
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"The Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence will connect research expertise and producer experience, creating a hub of information and collaboration to benefit all aspects of livestock research, education, and production. Consumers and producers alike will gain advantages due to improved beef quality, food safety, productivity, and environmental sustainability."
- David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Member of Parliament for  LaSalle—Émard—Verdun

"Saskatchewan cattle producers value the applied and discovery research the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence will produce. The SCA is proud to support and drive this kind of investment in the future of the cattle industry. There are still great opportunities for others to join in this endeavour to create a legacy to benefit current and future generations of cattle and livestock producers in the province and across Canada."
- Ryan Beierbach, Chair, Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association

"Through the power of partnerships, this unique centre will foster innovative research, training, and outreach to meet the needs of livestock producers and consumers, helping to sustainably produce food for a growing world population. Building on U of S agricultural and veterinary strengths, it will be the only centre of its kind in the world that spans research from "farm to fork"."
- Karen Chad, Vice President of Research, University of Saskatchewan

Additional Links

• Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association
• Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence, University of Saskatchewan

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SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

Rhonda Laing, Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations, Western Economic Diversification Canada, 306-975-5944, [email protected]; Karl W. Sasseville, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, 343-291-2500; Media Relations, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 343-291-1777, [email protected]; Ryder Lee, CEO, Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association, Telephone: [phone], [email protected]; Murray Lyons, Media Relations Specialist, University of Saskatchewan, 306-966-1851, [email protected]