Producer Murray McGillivray, a member of the former Livestock and Forage Steering Committee, and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit burn a new commemorative cattle brand, Rafter L backward F, into heritage wood from the former research facilities.

The centre will offer interactive outreach programs — field days, demonstrations, industry presentations and seminars — to help introduce new techniques and technologies to producers and affiliated industries who see the research as critical to the advancement, sustainability and profitability of the livestock and forage industries, and address issues important to consumers nationally and internationally. Interest in the new research centre is high and many groups, including visiting trade delegations, national and international visitors, and school groups, are expected to tour the facilities.

“The Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence will be our link from the lab to the land by providing cutting-edge research to ranchers and other producers,” said Duane Thompson, chair of the centre’s strategic advisory board and the owner/operator of Tee Two Land & Cattle Co. Inc., near Kelliher, Sask.

“When we take home information that increases our profitability, it benefits the whole economy. Every $1-million in calves sold results in 22 jobs in this province,” added Thompson.

The LCFE was funded in part by the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 agreement, which involved a cost-shared $10-million investment.

“Our government recognizes that it is vitally important to invest in the agriculture and food industry, which is a driver of jobs and economic growth for Canadians. This centre of excellence will allow for important research to be done, giving our producers access to the latest information, technologies and tools they need to help ensure the profitability and sustainability of the livestock and forages industries in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” said Lawrence MacAulay, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“Many dedicated partners collaborated on the vision for this integrated centre of excellence that will support the continued success of the livestock and forage industries,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “This centre’s teaching capabilities and research into forage breeding, cattle health, management practices and more will contribute tremendously to the long-term growth, profitability and sustainability of cattle production.”

In addition to the $10 million investment from Growing Forward 2, the centre received funding from Western Economic Diversification as well as from several organizations, corporations and individuals. The university’s contribution is $11 million.