Saskatchewan rolls in $13.85m

Saskatchewan University has opened its Canadian Feed Research Centre in the city of North Battleford. The centre was supported with a $2.46m donation by US-based multinational Cargill, which employs 530 people in the province. The rest of the money was contributed by Canada Foundation for Innovation, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Western Diversification.

The centre’s aim will be to research, develop and commercialise animal feeds that are high-value but gained from low-value crops as well as by-products of bioprocessing and biofuel production.

Standing at 15,650 square feet, the centre will employ between four and eight researcher, with both undergraduate and graduate students given the opportunity to participate in research projects. The university is hoping that the research conducted and commercialised will contribute at least $2m to gross domestic product directly to the crop and livestock industry and indirectly through employment.

It is also expected that the centre will forge industrial partnerships. It will seek further funding from both these partnerships and from government.

Graham Scoles, associate dean of research and graduate studies at Saskatchewan University, said: “We are excited about this relationship with Cargill because Cargill’s aspirations to be the global leader in nourishing people are very much aligned with ours. We believe that by working together – with Cargill and our other partners – we can meet the challenge of feeding the growing population that lies ahead. Cargill’s generous support helps advance our focus on value, quality and safety for many years to come.”