March 04, 2011
North Battleford, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's crop and livestock producers will benefit from innovative products developed at the University of Saskatchewan Canadian Feed Research Centre (CFRC) in North Battleford with the installation of steam flake- extrusion milling equipment.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced a Government of Canada investment of more than $583,000 for equipment installation that will help the Centre develop and commercialize new feed technologies.
"This federal investment will help bring new, western Canadian feed technologies to the marketplace, while improving the health of livestock and providing new opportunities for crop producers," said Minister Gerry Ritz.
"This investment will strengthen Saskatchewan's position as a world leader in agricultural research," said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology.
With readily available canola and pulses as the source, the CFRC will utilize advanced feed processing methods that incorporate extrusion technology and vacuum coating of pellets to increase the nutritional value of its feed and customize it to the unique dietary requirements of different sectors of the livestock industry. These higher-value products will create more diversified animal feed with a corresponding increase in sales and exports of Saskatchewan-produced animal feedstuff.
"The installation of this equipment helps further our goal, with the CFRC, to be world leaders in research and development of animal feeds using Western Canadian crops," said Karen Chad, U of S Vice President Research. "This major investment will benefit researchers and students and have an impact on the crop and livestock sectors for many years to come."
Funding of $583,469 is provided through the Western Diversification Program.
Western Economic Diversification Canada in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities promotes the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Lloyd Suchet
Office of the Minister
Western Economic Diversification
E-mail: lloyd.suchet@wd.gc.ca
Tom A. Scott (PhD),
Associate Professor and Research Chair in Feed Processing Technology
Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel: 306-966-4279
E-mail: tom.scott@usask.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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The University of Saskatchewan's Canadian Feed Research Centre (CFRC) is located in North Battleford. The CFRC will expand its processing capacity this year with the addition of a pilot scale line that will provide advanced small scale processing capabilities.
The scale and scope of operations at the CFRC makes it unique in Canada. The varied capacity of the feed processing lines allows the CFRC to support research through:
- Preparation of feed and diets to high specifications for use in animal feeding and nutrition research studies at the University of Saskatchewan and for institutions across Canada.
- Experimentation to examine the effects of different equipment, processing techniques and conditions, and different feed ingredients on nutritional value and cost of production.
- Research toll processing and facility rental to industry clients for proprietary research, and
- Scaling up of research findings from the pilot scale line to industrial scale for effective and efficient transfer of technology to industry.
Western Economic Diversification's contribution will be used towards the installation of a pilot-scale steam flake/extrusion mill. Extrusion is a process of forming or shaping materials utilizing both high temperatures and pressure. In animal feed processing applications, extrusion combines the ingredients, cooks them and ultimately produces a uniform product in a one-step operation. Extruding is used to create high-value specialty feeds such as pet food, pig weanling diets, milk replacers and aquaculture feed.
With the installation of the new steam flaker and extruder mill, the CFRC will focus on improving the digestive characteristics of starch, protein and vegetable oils from crops such as canola, flax, pulses, and grains in diets for aquaculture and ruminants, particularly for dairy cattle.
The use of feed "biologicals," such as pre- and probiotics, immune supplements and enzymes to promote better animal health and feed digestion is rapidly expanding. These biologicals are easily degraded and current methods of incorporation in feeds are inefficient limiting their application. The CFRC will develop new methods of incorporating biologicals in feeds, including vacuum coating, which will preserve the biological activity of these sensitive compounds.
