The University of Saskatchewan officially opened its new Canadian Feed Research Centre (CFRC) on Oct. 24. First conceptualized in 2009, the Canadian Feed Research Center came to fruition through a cooperative effort that included the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and Western Diversification, which made contributions to build the $13.85 million Center. The CFRC will research, develop and commercialize new and better high-value animal feeds from low-value crops and co-products from bioprocessing and biofuels industries.

Cargill’s animal nutrition business in Western Canada was recognized at the grand opening for its $2.46 million contribution to the center in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. 

“The University of Saskatchewan’s new CFRC provides an important resource that offers a broad range of research scale capabilities – from laboratory, to pilot plant, to industry-scale research – which is a major advantage in attracting commercialization and enhancing the competitiveness of our customers,” said Jennifer Henderson, managing director of Cargill Animal Nutrition’s compound feed business in Western Canada.

The 15,650-square-feet of renovated Innovation Center space will employ four to eight research and development professionals that have more than 100-years of experience combined. Both graduate and undergraduate students will participate in research and gain advanced training for careers in the feed and livestock sectors.

The Center will be the first of its kind in North America to install new seed-sorting technology that promises to maximize value, quality and safety. Research at the CFRC is expected to increase processing of crops for animal feed. It is estimated that this increased processing could contribute more than $2 million to GDP through direct benefits to the crop and livestock industry and indirect benefits via employment.

The innovation center will also work closely with several other industry partners such as premix, additive and equipment suppliers, commodity groups, feed mills and livestock organizations.  

“Feed accounts for 60 to70% of the production costs of animal protein such as meat, milk and eggs,” said Tom Scott, University of Saskatchewan research chair in feed processing technology. “The Center will use processing and feed additives to improve conversion of low-quality and highly variable ingredients, such as feed grain or co-products of bioprocessing, ultimately resulting in safe, high-quality human food consistently and sustainably.”