The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) will invest $8 million to tackle the single largest day-to-day issue plaguing livestock producers – the cost and effectiveness of feed for their animals.
Funds will be used to:
further develop livestock feed;
identify better links between feed and animal nutrition; and
influence better use of feed grains.
ALMA chairman Joe Makowecki said the initiative fits squarely with the agency’s mandate of affecting long-term strategic change for the province’s livestock and meat industry. “This problem is decades old and there are stacks of studies to prove it. The investment from the agency means we are finally tackling a basic competitive issue for the industry.”
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“A healthy feed grain industry is critical to the success of the livestock sector, which is why our organization was a key driver in helping chart solutions,” said Jack de Boer, chairman of the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association.
Terry Young, past-chairman of the Alberta Barley Commission said, “This initiative has the potential to transform the feed crop sector, through research and investment in better feed grains more suited for the livestock sector.” www.alma.alberta.ca
