ADF Funding for livestock research

Posted April 15, 1998


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 14, 1998
98-04-06-OTHER

ADF Funding for livestock research at the WCVM,
VIDO and the College of Agriculture

Seven livestock research projects at the University of Saskatchewan will
receive new funding of more than $600,000 from the Saskatchewan
Agriculture Development Fund (ADF).

The wide range of projects include the improvement of vaccines, the
effect of diet on meat quality, and an exploration into the cause of a
post-weaning syndrome in pigs.

The ADF project funding is distributed among the Western College of
Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), the Veterinary Infectious Disease
Organization (VIDO), and the Animal and Poultry Science Department of
the College of Agriculture.

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall announced
the funding as part of continued support by the ADF for livestock research
at the University of Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan?s livestock industry and meat products have an excellent
reputation, a fact which is directly related to ongoing and new research at
the University of Saskatchewan, Upshall said. Research conducted by
the WCVM, VIDO and the Animal and Poultry Science Department of the
College of Agriculture is imperative to Saskatchewan?s future as a leader
in the agricultural industry.

The WCVM will receive $434,272 for five research projects.

The College of Veterinary Medicine is very appreciative of the new
research funding the Minister of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food has
announced. This support is critical of the overall research program in
animal health and production at the College. We are confident that the
knowledge that these research projects will generate will be valuable for
the continuing success of the Saskatchewan livestock industry, said Dr.
Charles Rhodes, Associate Dean (Research), Western College of
Veterinary Medicine.

VIDO will receive $120,273 for one project.

This funding will assist VIDO to develop novel vaccine delivery systems
that will enhance vaccine efficacy by increasing the level of protection at
mucosal surfaces, the entry site of most disease causing organisms. This
advancement would prevent infection at a very early stage of the disease
process, said Dr. Lorne Babiuk, Director of VIDO. Furthermore, by
delivering these vaccines to mucosal surfaces, injection site reactions
will be minimized and meat quality will be enhanced. Saskatchewan
producers will benefit from improved profitability and access to export
markets, consumers will be provided with more palatable and appealing
products for consumption and animal welfare will be improved with
reduced animal suffering.

The Department of Animal and Poultry Science in the College of
Agriculture will receive $103,600 for one project. Improvement of meat
quality and tenderness is an important priority for the beef industry,
said Associate Dean of Agriculture Graham Jones. The project will explore
nutritional means of improving beef tenderness.

Information about VIDO is available at http://www.vido.org.

For more information contact:

Dr. Charles Rhodes Dr. Lorne Babiuk
Associate Dean (Research) Director
Western College of Veterinary Medicine VIDO
University of Saskatchewan University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-7068 (306) 966-7475

Dr. Graham A. Jones
Associate Dean
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4063
________________________

BACKGROUNDER

WCVM Projects to receive ADF funding:

DO RETROVIRUSES PLAY A ROLE IN POST WEANING
MULTISYSTEMIC WASTING SYNDROME IN PIGS ($87,135)
Ellis, John, WCVM, Saskatoon, Phone: (306) 966-7052

A STUDY OF TRYPSIN INHIBITOR LEVELS AND THE EFFECTS OF
EXCESS WHEY PROTEIN IN IMMUNOGLOBIN ABSORPTION FROM
DRIED BOVINE COLOSTRUM ($9,042)
Chelack, Brian, WCVM, Saskatoon, Phone: (306) 966-7241

IS HEPATITIS E VIRUS A COFACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
POST WEANING MULTISYSTEMIC WASTING SYNDROME IN PIGS
($12,865)
Ellis, John, WCVM, Saskatoon, Phone: (306) 966-7052

PRESERVATION OF MAMMALIAN GERM CELLS WITH PLANT-
STRESS AND/OR ANTIFREEZE PROTEINS ($246,000)
Mapletoft, Reuben, WCVM, Saskatoon, Phone: (306) 966-7149

THE ROLE OF PALATINE TONSILS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
STREPTOCOCCUS SUIS INFECTION IN PIGS ($79,230)
Middleton, Dorothy, WCVM, Saskatoon, Phone: (306) 966-7298


VIDO Projects to receive ADF funding:

USING INTERLEUKIN-6 TO IMPROVE MUCOSAL VACCINES
($120,273)
Godson, Dale, VIDO, Saskatoon, Phone: (306) 966-7479


College of Agriculture Projects to receive ADF
funding:

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D IN FEEDLOT
DIETS ON BEEF TENDERNESS ($103,600)
McKinnon, John, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Phone: (306)
966-4137

Projects Approved: 7 projects
Total Approved: approximately $650,000 in new funding