Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan invest $3.4 million to support USask's IntegrOmes project
News release
June 17, 2025 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison announced $3.4 million over 4 years to support the development of 2 new facilities at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) which includes the Omics Resource Centre at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and Beef Reprotech facilities at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE).
The investment will be delivered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) as part of the governments' commitment to support partnerships with strategic agricultural research organizations.
The new initiative, called IntegrOmes (Integrated Genomics for Sustainable Animal Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship), will advance beef genetics by matching genomic markers with desirable traits and evaluate reproductive efficiencies. This integrated approach will enable producers to make more precise and data-driven breeding decisions that improve livestock productivity in Saskatchewan.
The IntegrOmes project will address issues of beef cattle production and reproductive efficiency, animal health and the environment through the adoption of genomic tools. Saskatchewan producers will benefit from having access to these tools to stay competitive in the domestic and international market.
USask, the WCVM and the LFCE are world-class research, teaching and knowledge-transfer facilities that connect innovation across the livestock production chain. USask's work in feedlot and cow-calf management, veterinary science and forage systems plays a vital role in driving improvements in productivity and sustainability in the sector.
This investment builds on the long-standing support for agricultural research by the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. Through shared priorities under Sustainable CAP, over the past 5 years nearly $170 million has been committed in Saskatchewan toward research to improve productivity, expand markets and ensure our agri-food products remain globally competitive.
With today's announcement, USask's LFCE and WCVM continue to strengthen Saskatchewan's reputation as a global leader in high-quality, safe and sustainable food production.
Quotes
"Innovation - like what we're seeing through genomics research - is vital to the continued success of Canada's agriculture sector. This shared investment with Saskatchewan will support the expanded efforts of these facilities and ensure a vibrant future for Saskatchewan's livestock sector."
- The Honourable Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
"Saskatchewan producers already bring generations of expertise and innovation to our livestock sector, and this investment builds on that legacy - helping ensure Saskatchewan's ranchers remain global leaders at what they do best. The work of USask is recognized globally, and we're proud to support this initiative and the livestock sector it serves."
- Daryl Harrison, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture
"Genomic research is advancing rapidly, and USask is leading the way in this evolving field. Our researchers are applying cutting-edge methods to advance our understanding of beef genetics, which couldn't be possible without the support of this joint funding from the provincial and federal governments. We thank them for their continued support as we aspire to be the university the world needs."
- Baljit Singh, Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan
Quick facts
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Sustainable CAP is a 5-year, $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada's agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
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Contacts
For media:
Annie Cullinan
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
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Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
306-787-5155
ag.media@gov.sk.ca
Victoria Dinh
USask Media Relations
victoria.dinh@usask.ca
306-966-5487
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