New University of British Columbia facilities in Agassiz, B.C., will house research to improve the welfare of cattle and conserve avian genetic diversity — research that will be essential for meeting international concerns over the well-being of animals in food production systems, and for protecting global avian stocks against dangerous new viruses.
The new Westgen Calf Research Facility — the most sophisticated calf research facility in the world — Feed Intake Facility and Heifer Research Facility are part of the UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre. The largest dairy research centre of its kind in Canada, it has attracted students and scientists from more than 24 countries since 1998. The new buildings will help advance research in animal welfare, reproduction and nutrition.
These facilities and the new Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Avian Genetic Resources Building, which will preserve rare genetic strains of chicken and quail that may be more resistant to new diseases or bacteria, were opened today by officials from UBC, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and beef and dairy genetics company Westgen.
“These exceptional dairy and avian research facilities will help scientists address some of the most pressing industry issues,” said John Hepburn, UBC Vice-President, Research. “I’m grateful for the long-standing partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the support of donors like Westgen. It will pay off in important advances for our world.”
“These new research facilities represent the future of Canadian agriculture and the commitment of Canada’s new government to ensuring the health and well-being of Canadians, the safety of our food system and the long-term prosperity of our strong and vibrant agriculture and agri-food industry,” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. “Through continued investment in research, Canada is demonstrating its place as a world leader in agriculture.”
Established in 1998, the UBC Dairy Education and Research Centre is collaboration between the UBC Faculty of Land and Food Systems (LFS) and AAFC to conduct research and promote technology transfer with the dairy industry in B.C. and around the world.
“Dairy producers in this province are sensitive to the well-being of their animals and are proud to live in the province with the largest, and one of the most successful, dairy research centres in the world,” said Cornelis Hertgers,
President, BC Milk Producers Association.
The new AAFC Avian Genetic Resource Building is home to long-term collaborative research between LFS and AAFC’s Agassiz Poultry Research Centre. Emphasis has been placed on combining animal welfare, avian genetic resource conservation and sustainable poultry production to catapult the province into a leading source of knowledge and technology in support of the poultry industry.
The new facilities include investments of $2.4 million from UBC, $400,000 from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, $175,000 from Westgen and milk revenues generated by the UBC dairy herd.
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