July 17, 2023

 

Canada invests US$9.1 million in research to enhance sustainability in beef industry

The Canadian federal government has allocated over CAD 12 million (~US$9.1 million; CAD 1 = US$0.76) to the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) as part of a CAD 21.7 million (~US$16.5 million) initiative to promote environmental and economic sustainability in the beef industry, The Western Producer reported.

 

The funding will support 23 projects under the newly launched federal Beef and Forage AgriScience Cluster, which will be overseen by the CCA's Beef Cattle Research Council. The announcement was made by Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, at the Calgary Stampede on July 12.

 

More than CAD 9.6 million (~US$7.3 million) of the funding will come from Canada's beef industry, primarily through producer checkoffs, and the research will be conducted nationwide over the next five years.

 

The projects will focus on three main priorities: climate change and the environment, economic growth and development, and sector resilience and societal changes. The statement emphasises the importance of achieving federal greenhouse gas reduction targets by preserving native grasslands, sequestering additional carbon, and reducing emissions intensity.

 

The initiatives supported by the funding include strategies to reduce methane emissions through feeding practices, development of more productive and profitable forages, and advancements in technology for faster response to emerging diseases.

 

Drouin highlighted the significance of translating this research into tangible results on farms and the shared investment of nearly CAD 22 million (~US$16.7 million)  to meet global customer demands for high-quality and sustainable beef products.

 

The Beef and Forage AgriScience Cluster is one of six national research programmes aimed at promoting sustainability and growth in Canada's agriculture and agri-food industry. These programmes are funded through the Clusters Component of the AgriScience Program under the CAD 3.5 billion (~US$2.6 billion)  Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership.

 

Drouin said the research investment is important to stay competitive in the global market and support the cattle producers who contribute significantly to the industry's success.

 

Craig Lehr, chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council, acknowledged the increasing public pressure regarding greenhouse gas emissions and highlighted the role of research in improving environmental performance and informing public policy.

 

Nathan Phinney, president of the CCA, expressed gratitude for the government's support and recognised the crucial role of science in driving innovation and advancement in the beef industry.

 

-      The Western Producer