This funding is provided, in part, by the federal and provincial governments under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The One Health research projects focus on diseases and health threats, such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) vaccines and noninvasive testing, feral pig control and disease monitoring, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in dairy and beef cattle, swine, and poultry.
The projects approved for funding include:
University of Calgary researchers will receive $1.2 million for: “Design omics-informed vaccines and live tests for chronic wasting disease management” and $589,650 for: “Developing an antimicrobial resistance surveillance program for bulk tank milk.” *
University of Alberta researchers will receive a $598,370 investment to investigate: “Metabolic modeling to create competitive exclusion communities that control poultry pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.” *
University of Saskatchewan researchers will apply an investment of $494,500 to investigate: “An alternative: Streptococcus zooepidemicus vaccine to reduce antimicrobial usage and mortality”; and $165,000 into “Improving traceability of free-ranging and domestic wild boar in Alberta and the Canadian prairies.” *
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Lethbridge) researchers have been awarded $250,000 to: “Develop a bacterial probiotic to enhance respiratory health of cattle and reduce feedlot antimicrobial use and resistance.”
The federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, commented: “Investments in research are essential to the long-term success of our farmers and ranchers. I have no doubt that these important initiatives will help improve the health of people, animals, and the environment and make Alberta’s world-class agricultural sector even stronger.”
Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister, the Honourable RJ Sigurdson, said “Coordinated efforts and robust, timely research on disease and health threats such as antimicrobial resistance, Chronic Wasting Disease and feral pig control, are critical to positioning Alberta for targeted disease management and response. I am very pleased to see RDAR funding these One Health projects that will ensure our farmers and ranchers can address disease threats head-on with the most accurate information and tools.”
Following today’s funding announcement, Dr. Mark Redmond, RDAR’s CEO, said: “One Health interventions are critical to disease control and the protection of people, livestock, global markets, and Alberta’s agri-food products. We are delighted to have approved funding for these projects.”
Dr. David Bailey, President and CEO of Genome Alberta commented: “We recognize the critical need for taking a One Health approach for the health of animals, people, and the environment as they are deeply interconnected. These research projects bring together diverse expertise in important areas for Alberta to generate innovative solutions that protect animal and human health, strengthen food security, and build more sustainable agricultural systems.”
For more information on the One Health program, please visit rdar.ca.
*These investments are cost-shared by the federal and provincial governments under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
About Genome Alberta
Genome Alberta is working towards a better future through genomics innovation. Our mission is to promote and support genomics solutions to create value and investment opportunities through excellent science, technology and application development, collaborations, and partnerships. We work on priority areas in health, agriculture, environment & energy, and forestry, driving growth across sectors while helping to develop Alberta’s next generation of talented innovators. For more information on Genome Alberta, please visit genomealberta.ca.
About the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories. alberta.ca
About RDAR
RDAR is mandated to target strategic investments in producer-led, results-driven agriculture research to power the profitability, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability of agriculture in Alberta. As a not- for-profit organization, RDAR's funding comes from the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. For more information, please visit: www.rdar.ca
Media Contact:
For all enquiries, please contact:
Richard Hilton, Manager, Stakeholder Relations and Communications
richard.hilton@rdar.ca