Saskatchewan professor honoured for beef research contributions

University of Saskatchewan researcher Dr. Bart Lardner has received the 2026 Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation.

Lardner, a professor in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and chair of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture’s Strategic Research Program in Cow-Calf and Forage Systems, is being recognized for more than 20 years of research focused on beef cattle management and forage production.

His work has examined areas including winter grazing, water quality, forage management and heifer development, helping producers improve profitability while managing production costs.

“Dr. Lardner’s research has helped producers reduce costs while maintaining performance and profitability,” said Dean Manning, Chair of the Beef Cattle Research Council. Manning said Lardner’s commitment to ensuring producers benefit from research investments, while supporting the next generation of researchers, is widely respected.

Lardner has also supervised more than 25 graduate students and delivered hundreds of presentations across Western Canada and internationally.

The award was presented during the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Winnipeg. Presented by the Beef Cattle Research Council, the Canadian Beef Industry Award for Outstanding Research and Innovation recognizes researchers who have demonstrated leadership, industry engagement and a long-term commitment to advancing Canada’s beef sector.