Canada and Saskatchewan are investing $3.4 million over four years to support new state-of-the-art research facilities at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) aimed at strengthening beef production through advanced genomic science.
The funding, delivered under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), will support two major initiatives: the new Omics Resource Centre at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and Beef Reprotech facilities at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE). Both will play a central role in a project called IntegrOmes—Integrated Genomics for Sustainable Animal Agriculture and Environmental Stewardship.
IntegrOmes is designed to harness genomic tools to enhance beef cattle productivity, animal health, and reproductive efficiency while supporting environmental sustainability. By linking genomic markers with desirable production traits, the project will enable more precise, data-driven breeding decisions for Saskatchewan producers.
This initiative is part of a broader federal-provincial strategy to ensure Canadian agriculture remains globally competitive. Genomic research is expected to help local producers adopt leading-edge technologies, improve herd performance, and maintain market access at home and abroad.
USask and its affiliated research centres are internationally recognized for innovation in livestock production, veterinary science, and forage systems. These new facilities will further expand their capacity to drive advancements in sustainable agriculture.
This latest investment builds on nearly $170 million committed over the past five years in Saskatchewan for agricultural research through Sustainable CAP. The goal is to support productivity, sustainability, and market expansion in the agri-food sector.
As genomic research continues to evolve, this funding ensures Saskatchewan’s beef industry remains at the forefront of science-driven agriculture.
