Federal funding of $1 million announced on a farm near here on Sept. 4 will go toward efforts to improve genetic evaluations of Ontario beef.
Pierre Lemieux, parliamentary secretary to federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz, made the announcement at Gilbrea Farms, a beef operation owned by Bob Wilson and his father Alex Wilson.
The funding will provide $827,000 to Beef Improvement Opportunities (BIO), a farm cooperative working on genetic improvements in the beef industry, and $264,000 to the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) for research on beef efficiency based on analysis of liver function.
“The livestock industry drives jobs and growth for Canadians, and a big part of our ongoing success in keeping Canada’s beef sector ahead of the pack is our continued investment in research and innovation,” Lemieux told those assembled for the announcement.
“This project will allow Canada’s beef producers to gain better access to genomics tools for breeding and selection that can help them lower their costs of production and raise healthier, disease-resistant animals.”
Ontario beef production, according to Lemieux, is part of the $5 billion in farm gate revenue produced annually in Ontario and $1 billion in exports.
Money spent on genetic studies will, “ensure the Canadian cattle industry remains sustainable and successful,” he said.
It will also allow “farmers to grow their business and allow them to be more competitive in the global market place,” he added.
The BIO funding will go toward research projects to increase producers’ understanding and use of genetic evaluations, improve genetic selection in beef and sheep using modern economic indicators in order to evaluate and predict market trends, and study genetic traits to identify markers that can be used to improve carcass value and quality.
The OCA funding is earmarked for improving feed efficiency and its impact on cow fertility and weight.
Bob Wilson said his 80-head operation has worked closely with BIO.
“We have had a long involvement with BIO,” he said. “The information we get back from BIO has allowed us to steadily improve the performance profitability of our cattle over the years.”
He noted research by different levels of governments and farm organizations has assisted producers.
“Agriculture often has challenges, but when governments, Agricultural Adaptation Council and organizations like OCA and BIO work together we can turn those challenges into opportunities,” said Wilson.
BIO vice president David Milliner said the research will concentrate on feed efficiency and better beef quality. The result could be savings for beef producers, who will be using less feed and producing better tasting beef.
“We’ll eliminate the feed inefficient animals and propagate the feed efficient animals,” Milliner, a beef producer from Dundalk, said of the advantages of the research.
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong welcomed the funding.
“This is an important part of the Canadian and the Ontario agricultural community,” Chong said of the impact research will have on the industry. “Wellington County is an important part of our farming community and beef industry.”
Mike Buis, chairman of the OCA research committee, said there is “a direct link between research spending and improved efficiencies.
“With feed being a major expenditure, improvements will mean greater success for farmers.”
Milliner noted gains through research will enable producers to identify methods needed to produce the best beef.
“It’s going to move the beef industry into a new, fast-paced change,” he said.
“Feed efficiency for farmers is a big item.
“The cost of feed is getting more pressure because of the price of land. The change will be so important for producers. They’re going to be able to tell what are the prized animals from the start.”
The funding is made available through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program.
