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LIVESTOCK
RESEARCH CENTRE PROPOSED
February
4, 2002 — The long-term effects of intensive livestock
production systems on health and the environment are the focus
of a new $8.8 million research centre proposed by the Faculty
of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
The new
facility will tackle issues such as odour, water quality,
greenhouse gas emissions and fertilizer use, with the goal
of developing environmentally sustainable livestock production
practices. The Canada Foundation for Innovation recently announced
its support of $3.5 million for the project which will be
matched by $5.3 million from the province of Manitoba and
industry.
“This
facility will be Canada’s first opportunity for long-term
analysis of the agroecological impacts of the rapidly expanding
livestock industry,” said Dr. Karin Wittenberg, project
leader and head of the University of Manitoba animal science
department. “Our goal is the redesign of current production
practices to positively impact environment and health, as
well as economic viability.”
The long-term
systems-based research, expected to span 20 years, will look
at animal housing, manure handling, cropping systems, soil,
air and water health, and food safety.
“With
this centre, we will establish the Faculty and the University
of Manitoba as a world-class research and training facility
in animal production and sustainable cropping systems,”
said Dr. Harold Bjarnason, dean of the Faculty of Agricultural
and Food Sciences.
The multi-disciplinary
focus of the centre will bring together researchers from nine
different university departments, as well as from Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Freshwater Institute,
and the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health.
New infrastructure
funded through the project will include conventional and alternative
livestock housing, equipment for manure handling, storage
and application, and several laboratories.
For
more information call:
Dr.
Karin Wittenberg
Department of Animal Science
Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
University of Manitoba
(204) 474-9139
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