The federal and Manitoba governments on Thursday announced $3.1 million in funding for beef and grassland research in Manitoba.
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Member of Parliament Larry Maguire (Brandon-Souris) unveiled the commitment at the Manitoba Beef Producers’ annual meeting in Brandon.
Over the next three years, government and industry partners will:
- launch a research program focused on beef and grassland management;
- re-establish demonstration farms to share knowledge with farmers and other stakeholders about grassland management, animal feed efficiency and herd health, and
- create an industry-led committee to coordinate innovative research and extension activities.
Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) will lead the project and contribute nearly $100,000 per year in funding and in-kind support. Manitoba has the third-largest cow herd in the country, with cattle and calf sales generating between $400 and $600 million in farm income annually.
“We are extremely pleased with the provincial and federal governments’ investment in the future of the beef and forage industry in Manitoba,” said Heinz Reimer, MBP president. “We know the value of research that our universities do and we also see the value in applying these concepts on the farm and extending the knowledge to producers. The projects conducted under this initiative will be of value to producers, industry and the public, both here in Manitoba and beyond our borders.”
Other industry partners include the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association and Ducks Unlimited Canada, which will be donating the use of one of the demonstration farms located near Brandon.
The funding is coming from Growing Innovation – Capacity and Knowledge Development under the Growing Forward 2 framework.
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