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U of S Feed Research Chair aims to add value to Saskatchewan crops

Nov 22, 2010 | 12:27 PM

Tom Scott, the new University of Saskatchewan Research Chair in Feed Processing Technology, wants to help those involved in feed processing profit from new processing technology and research.

While farmers strive to produce the highest grade of crops every year, weather and other factors often drive quality down, making crops unfit for human food markets. Likewise, a growing biofuel sector produces large quantities of co-products called dried distillers grains. Adding value to these products by increasing their utilization in animals is a major focus of the Feed Processing Technology Chair.

“It’s about taking low-value grains and co-products, turning them into high-quality feeds for livestock,” Scott said. “It is also about developing the science and technology to do this consistently. We need to predict what variation is coming in and how to adapt the processing conditions to increase its feed value – consistently.”

The chair will help to develop improved feed and food products, new markets for Saskatchewan grown crops and profitability for the agriculture sector, producers and ranchers.

Based in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Scott is working to establish a world-class research program in feed processing. The aim is to develop processing methods that produce feeds that are more digestible and deliver maximum nutrition, for example. The program will also look at the economics of processing, energy use, reduction in food borne pathogens and impact on the environment. Funded by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, the Research Chair in Feed Processing Technology is part of a drive to establish Saskatchewan as an international leader in feed science.  

News release issued by University of Saskatchewan