Edmonton, AB, September 18, 2026 – RDAR is delivering $563,380 in Sustainable CAP funding for new beef genomics research. The project, led by Dr. Kajal Latimer with the Canadian Angus Association, will help Canadian Angus producers choose cattle better suited to their local conditions.
Beef producers work in many different climates, forage systems, and management settings. These differences affect animal health, growth, and productivity. Many current genetic tools do not fully account for how cattle genetics perform in different environments. That can make it harder for producers to select animals that fit their farms and reduce production risk.
The research will develop environment- and management-informed genomic prediction tools, known as environment-specific genomically enhanced expected progeny differences (eGEPDs). These tools will build on existing genetic evaluations by combining genomic, environmental, and management data to help producers make more confident breeding and selection decisions. Similar work is already underway in countries such as Australia and the United States. This project will help Canada stay competitive and support stronger outcomes for beef producers.
The project will translate this research into a user-friendly dashboard that gives producers information tailored to their location and management practices. The goal is to make advanced genomic information easier to apply in breeding and selection decisions across Alberta and Canada’s beef production systems.
Speaking to today’s announcement, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood, said, “Canadian producers rely on Canadian innovation to stay resilient and competitive. By investing in practical research and tools, we are helping beef producers make more informed breeding decisions that reflect the unique environments and production systems found across our country. This project will strengthen our world-class beef sector, support producers and their families, and help drive growth in the Canadian economy."
Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, the Honourable Tara Sawyer, said: “Alberta’s beef industry is a key part of our economy. To stay competitive at home and around the world, producers need practical research that responds to real industry needs. Through RDAR, we are supporting work that will help advance beef production and deliver stronger returns for producers.”
Dr. Mark Redmond, RDAR’s CEO, said: “Beef genomics is one of the clearest examples of how research can move the Final Mile™ from data to decisions on our farms and ranches. RDAR has directed investment in a portfolio of projects that are helping producers use genomic information to improve heifer selection, commercial cow-calf productivity, animal health, and overall profitability. This project takes the next step by asking how genetics perform in the real-world production systems producers manage every day. That matters because the right genetics are not just high-performing on paper—they need to deliver value on farm.”
Dr. Kajal Latimer, Director of Science and Technology at the Canadian Angus Association, said: “Canadian beef producers manage cattle across a wide range of climates, forage systems, and management practices. Current genetic tools often treat every farm the same. By combining
environmental and management data with genomics, this project will help producers select cattle that better fit their own conditions and make decisions with greater confidence.”
About RDAR
RDAR is a not-for-profit organization mandated to direct strategic investments in producer-led, resultsdriven agricultural research that strengthens the profitability, productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability of Alberta agriculture. Working across the value chain, from research and regional validation through to adoption on farms and ranches, RDAR focuses on moving proven innovation the Final Mile™ into producers' hands. RDAR's core funding is a long-term, ten-year commitment from the Government of Alberta, provided through Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation. RDAR also delivers the Accelerating Agricultural Innovations (AAI) program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the federal-provincial partnership funded by the governments of Canada and Alberta.
For more information, please visit: www.rdar.ca
About Canadian Angus Association (CAA)
The Canadian Angus Association (CAA) is a not-for-profit association incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act. It works to preserve and grow the Angus breed for Canadian cattle producers and beef consumers. As Canada’s largest breed association, CAA supports seedstock and commercial producers using Angus genetics with tools and technology that strengthen producer profitability and industry sustainability.
For more information, please visit: www.cdnangus.ca
About the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a five-year (April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of 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.
For more information, please visit: alberta.ca
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