February 5, 2015 - Brandon, Manitoba - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Governments will invest more than $3.1 million to support applied research and develop information and resources focused on sustainable beef production, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Member of Parliament Larry Maguire (Brandon-Souris), on behalf of Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today.
Over the next four years, government and industry partners will:
- launch a research program focused on beef and grassland management;
- re-establish demonstration farms to share knowledge with farmers and other stakeholders about grassland management, animal feed efficiency and herd health; and,
- create an industry-led committee to coordinate innovative research and extension activities.
Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP), a non-profit organization representing more than 8,000 farmers and ranchers, will lead the project and contribute nearly $100,000 per year in funding and in-kind support. Manitoba has the third-largest cow herd in Canada, with cattle and calf sales generating between $400 and $600 million in farm income annually.
Other industry partners include the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association and Ducks Unlimited Canada, which will be donating the use of one of the demonstration farms located near Brandon.
Government funding is provided under Growing Forward 2’s Growing Innovation - Capacity and Knowledge Development. The federal and provincial governments are investing $176 million in Manitoba under Growing Forward 2, a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial policy framework to advance the agriculture industry, helping producers and processors become more innovative and competitive in world markets.
Emily Hogeveen
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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Caedmon Malowany
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Ron Kostyshyn
204 945-1494
