News Business/Policy Canada Research
Saskatchewan adds $5.1 million in research funding, extends FRWIP deadline

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have announced a total of $5.1 million in funding for new research projects in 2022 related to livestock and forage.

This year’s funding will support 28 projects through the province’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

Subjects of this year’s research projects include the potential of native and tame forage species to enhance carbon sequestration, expanded methods for reproduction diagnostics and improved control and treatments with respect to animal health.

The Ministry of Agriculture has a research budget of $32.9 million in 2021-22 to support research and innovation, and concentrates its investments on projects that will help make Saskatchewan producers more profitable and more productive while increasing the competitiveness of the provincial industry.

In addition to this year’s federal and provincial ADF funding, a total of $483,000 in support of 13 of these projects was contributed by three industry co-funders:

• Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association (SCA)
• Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission
• Sask Milk

Additionally, both governments announced an extension to the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) deadline for livestock producers planning to access the previously announced temporary enhanced FRWIP funding.

Along with the drought conditions experienced in 2021, producers also found it is difficult to source materials and contractors to construct their water development projects. Due to these circumstances, the governments have adapted FRWIP to allow livestock producers who plan to claim over $50,000 in rebates to submit a preliminary application by March 31  to complete their project(s) and submit for rebate by September 30, 2022.