Harper Government Invests in Health-Boosting Research for Livestock Industry

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, August 20, 2012 -A new investment from the Harper Government will support research into an innovative substitute for antibiotics in livestock feed. Member of Parliament Kelly Block (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar), on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, announced today an investment that will help Prairie Plant Systems Inc. deliver benefits to livestock producers and consumers.

“This is a good example of how government and industry can partner to harness research and help industry fill a need in the marketplace,” said MP Block. “This is the kind of innovation that’s keeping Canada’s agricultural sector strong and sustainable.”

This investment of more than $101,000 will help Prairie Plant Systems develop new technologies that have the potential to replace antibiotics in animal feed using health-boosting properties of plants like mustard seeds. The goal is to develop feed supplements that would stimulate an animal’s own immune system to resist infection.

“This is the first step in finding alternatives to the use of antibiotics in animal feed,” said Brent Zettl, CEO of Prairie Plant Systems. “The long-term goal of our research can have benefits for farmers and consumers alike.”

Researchers have discovered that the use of antibiotics in feedstock is beneficial partly because of their anti-inflammatory properties and not just because of their anti-bacterial properties. The development of new feed supplements has the potential to improve herd health while reducing losses and costs. This can improve the bottom line of livestock and poultry producers and also open other opportunities for farmers to diversify their crops and capture new niche markets.

This project is funded under the Agricultural Innovation Program – a $50-million initiative announced as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2011 and part of the Government’s commitment to help Canadian producers benefit from cutting-edge science and technology. The Program boosts the development and commercialization of innovative new products, technologies, and processes for the agricultural sector. For more information about this and other Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada programs, please visit www.agr.gc.ca.

For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972

Meagan Murdoch
Director of Communications
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059

Click here to view a PDF of the press release.