Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) has announced a new research investment in CBS Bio Platforms to enable Alberta to lead development of enhanced and sustainable feed. Industry-leading outcomes from this research project will strengthen Alberta's reputation as a centre for world-class, livestock production.

RDAR funding of $110,291 will drive research led by CBS Bio Platforms, a leading international feed technology company headquartered in Calgary, to develop novel processes that release previously inaccessible plant components and makes them usable in poultry and swine diets.

"The impacts of success for this project will be far-reaching for swine and poultry producers,” said Rob Patterson, CBS Bio Platforms Technical Director. “Protein is a major variable expense for producers, and CBS is developing novel technologies, such as feed-derived prebiotics, to be used to maximize feed performance and replace antibiotic growth promoters."

Positive research results will deliver producer benefits at the farm gate by reducing the feed cost and increasing quality. By improving feed's overall economics and sustainability, this research will unlock hard-to-capture value in feed inputs. This research will broaden the toolbox of beneficial and affordable plant protein sources, diversify the options for alternatives to antimicrobial use and help meet the new market legislation and consumer preferences for poultry and swine products.

"Innovation in animal feed represents a great area of opportunity for Alberta’s economy and to help our livestock producers maximize benefits and increase profitability,” said Nate Horner, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development. “This industry-directed investment from RDAR towards made-in-Alberta solutions will accelerate our progress to capture this potential – supporting a strong future that expands the boundaries of Alberta's agriculture success."

Positive research outcomes will also help reduce agriculture's environmental footprint.

"This research will help our industry emerge as a leader in shaping and adopting the feed of the future, bringing efficiencies and other advantages that keep more dollars at the farm gate and strengthen the overall competitiveness of the sector," said Clinton Dobson, RDAR Director of Research.

The key to the project's success will be leveraging the expertise and resources of CBS Bio Platforms to uncover a new pathway to unlocking plant protein potential. The project builds on a wealth of previous CBS feed technology research, particularly with enzyme technology.

"We've learned a lot about extracting more value and delivering unique advantages out of feed ingredients,” said Patterson. “By using enzyme technology, CBS breaks down the plant's fibrous structures and releases components traditionally more difficult to access.  This new project will take this approach to a new level of precision and power by capturing the protein fraction as well as functional carbohydrate fractions to create new high-value product streams."

This project is funded by RDAR, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors.

RDAR is an arm’s length not-for-profit organization that consults with Alberta's crop and livestock producers to set research priorities and distribute funds toward priorities and programs that increase the competitiveness and profitability of Alberta's agriculture industry. RDAR is funded by the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, and Alberta's Government through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program. rdar.ca

CBS Bio Platforms is an innovation-focused company that researches, develops, and manufactures a wide range of bio-based products used in feed, food, and industrial applications. Headquartered in Calgary, it has over 37 years in business, building status as a world leader in feed technology, serving customers in more than 20 countries internationally. 

SOURCE: CBS Bio Platforms