Ensuring animal health with new diagnostic pilot project
LETHBRIDGE, AB. — A new pilot project at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, has set out to help livestock producers ensure the health of their animals. Funding is being provided by the Alberta and federal governments.
Karin Schmid, the Research and Production Manager for Alberta Beef Producers (ABP), feels the project is a solid step forward:
“We really welcome this announcement, because we used to have a really impressive network of services and laboratories here in Alberta, but when funding for these collapsed about 25 years ago, producers were left with limited options to manage animal health. This pilot project and the investment by the province and the Canadian agricultural partnership is a first step towards reinstating a basic level of diagnostic services and supporting some much needed disease surveillance efforts.“
According to Schmid, the ABP is extremely pleased the funding will provide some increased capacity and support of disease investigation services, led by the diagnostic service unit at the U-of-C Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.