The Saskatchewan government has announced 7.5 million dollars in funding for livestock and forage-related research.

The executive director of research for the ministry of Agriculture, Shawn Gibson, says the funding includes more than 4 million dollars for 24 livestock and forage-related research.

He adds another 3.5 million dollars will go to operational funding of the Prairie Swine Centre and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the U of S.

Agriculture minister David Marit says producers benefit from research into new forage varieties, improved livestock feeding systems and management of animal diseases to ensure industry growth.

He says projects this year will look at water quality, animal health, forage production, and livestock breeding.

For example, one project will look at removing sulphates from farm ponds to improve cattle health.

In addition to the government support, research projects are also receiving nearly 324 thousand dollars from partners like the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, Alfalfa Seed Producers, forage and seed commission, SaskMilk and Alberta Milk.
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