Canadian beef sector receives funding to support sustainable development
The cattle sector to receive $12 million
20 July 2023
2 minute read
By: Last week at the Calgary Stampede, Francis Drouin, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an investment of more than $12 million on behalf of Marie-Claude Bibeau to the Canadian Cattle Association under the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component. The Beef Cattle Research Council, a division of the Canadian Cattle Association, will administer the Beef and Forage Cluster.
The investment aims to drive the growth of Canada's beef industry through research, innovation and technology transfer, while improving their environmental footprint.
The 23 projects to be funded focus on three AgriScience program priorities: Climate Change and Environment, Economic Growth and Development, and Sector Resilience and Societal Changes. Research activities include reducing methane emissions through feeding strategies, breeding forages that are more productive and profitable, and developing technologies for faster response to emerging diseases.
The goals of these funded activities contribute to the Government of Canada's climate change mitigation and industry resilience priorities, while supporting the Government's GHG reduction targets.
"Across the country, beef farmers and ranchers are incorporating new methods into their day-to-day routines to meet the global demand for Canadian beef," said Bibeau. "Today's investment will help the sector continue to deliver results and maintain their solid reputation, while continuing to contribute to our environmental goals."
"The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of Canadian beef. Today's announcement will contribute to the continued success of the industry, while keeping it strong and resilient," said Drouin. "The results from these innovation, research and technology activities will transform into real results on farms.
"Beef producers across Canada continually strive to maintain and improve our animal health and welfare practices, food safety standards and environmental stewardship," he added. "We are eager to utilise the outcomes of Canada's Beef and Forage AgriScience Cluster to continue to responsibly deliver superior products and preserve land and livelihood that we pass on to the next generation."
