RDAR partners with ABP & BCRC to deliver $6 million to boost beef research and productivity

RDAR, a leader driver of results-driven agriculture research, Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), and the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), are announcing that over $6 million has been committed to a series of projects that will advance beef research in Canada’s largest beef producing province.

Funding in part has been provided by federal and provincial governments under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Nine projects have been selected for funding. Each will address livestock sector concerns and further strengthen Alberta’s multi-billion-dollar beef industry, a major contributor to the province’s economic success. Projects funded as part of this joint funding announcement include:

• $2.1 million to expand the depth and scope of surveillance work by the Canadian Feedlot Antimicrobial Use (AMU) / Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance Program. High-quality data about bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and the resistance of its pathogens to treatment is essential. This information helps farmers, veterinarians, and the beef industry make informed decisions, ensuring cattle health and allowing for quick responses to emerging disease. Ultimately, this will improve cattle health outcomes and contribute to a safer beef supply.
• $668,000 will be used to study the control of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). This research aims to develop a safe solution that can help prevent the growth of biofilms, contamination that makes surfaces and equipment harder to clean. This work is important for improving food safety and protecting public health.
• $427,000 combined investment will support the growing demand for efficient anima protein production by developing rapid techniques to assess the nutrient value of animal feeds. This technology will equip producers and scientists with a fast, accurate, low-cost analysis tool for in-field and laboratory use. Better animal nutrition can lead to healthier animals and more sustainable food production.

Craig Lehr, BCRC Chair and Alberta beef producer, says applied research is important to help producers make on-farm decisions and implement strategies that improve producer productivity and profitabillity.

“Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and antimicrobial resistance are ongoing issues for the Canadian beef industry. Projects investigating causes and transmission of BRD pathogens and antimicrobial resistance will help inform future prevention and treatment of practices,” explains Lehr.

Brodie Haugan, Chair of ABP, says that producers across Alberta can be further assured by the announcement.

“Work is being done to make our industry stronger, safer, and more profitable, through research programs like these. Producer check-off dollars make ABP’s investment into the future success of our industry possible,” says Haugan.