Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced up to $14 million in funding for beef and forage research under the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership while attending the Calgary Stampede on Wednesday.
The funding for the new “Sustainable Beef and Forage Science Cluster” will go to the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) — the research division of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. The BCRC will be contributing an additional $7.6 million, bringing the overall funding announced on Wednesday to $21 million.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says the funds will “be used for activities focused on improving the sustainability of Canadian beef and forage production, growing beef exports and supplying high-quality Canadian beef to people around the world.”
“The science-based knowledge and innovations that result from this investment will work to responsibly increase production while enhancing industry competitiveness and public trust, advancing the economic, social and environmental sustainability of Canada’s beef sector,” noted Ryan Beierbach, chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council and rancher near Whitewood, Sask. “A prosperous beef sector not only benefits farmers and ranchers across Canada, it maintains grazing lands that are important to preserve for their role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.”
Pleased to be at #Stampede2018 to announce the Sustainable Beef and Forage Science Cluster. This funding of up to $21 million with @BeefResearch will unite business and research and advance the Canadian beef industry while helping our farmers and ranchers prosper. @CanadianBeef pic.twitter.com/YsPfqqlfDM
— Lawrence MacAulay (@L_MacAulay) July 11, 2018
The government funding amount is in line with the federal contribution of $14 million to the beef research cluster under the previous five-year agriculture framework — Growing Forward 2, which ended in March.
Wonderful tour of Canada Malting Co. today. In their Calgary facility, they process quality Canadian Barley, Rye and Wheat into specialty malts for brewers in Canada and around the world! #CdnAg pic.twitter.com/o6k0cu8uXT
— Lawrence MacAulay (@L_MacAulay) July 11, 2018
MacAulay also met with the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and Canada Malting Company in Calgary on Wednesday, before attending the Stampede’s International Agriculture Reception.
The visit to Calgary is part of the “Growing Canadian Agriculture” tour, which started in Quebec in mid-June and concludes in B.C. next week with the federal-provincial-territorial agriculture ministers’ annual meeting. MacAulay will be in Saskatoon on Thursday.
