Alberta Cattle Commission Provides Funding for New Chair at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Posted August 27, 2001


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 27, 2001 2001-08-01-WCVM


Alberta Cattle Commission Provides Funding for New Chair
at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine

SASKATOON SK -- The Alberta Cattle Commission (ACC) will contribute $500,000
toward a new Academic Chair in Beef Cattle Health and Production at the
Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan.

In announcing the contribution, ACC Chairman Greg Conn of Innisfail, Alberta
said "We are pleased to partner with the Alberta government to support an
Academic Chair in Beef Cattle Health and Production Management. We hope our
investment of $500,000 will help leverage additional support for the Chair
to ensure the endowment is completed."

The ACC donation follows the announcement in January by Alberta Learning
Minister, Dr. Lyle Oberg, of a donation of $1.5 million toward an Academic
Chair at the WCVM. The WCVM is currently seeking additional financial
support for the Chair to bring the total endowment up to $3.0 million.

"We are delighted that the Alberta Cattle Commission has made this major
contribution," said Alex Livingston, WCVM Dean. "The beef production
industry is very important to Canada's economy, contributing almost $25
billion each year. Once the Chair is established, the College will be able
to continue its leadership in beef cattle health management with even
greater effectiveness."

An important function of the Chair is to encourage veterinary students to
consider food animal practice as an occupational choice. ACC Chairman Conn
said "The Alberta Cattle Commission received direction from cattle producers
to help increase the number of large animal veterinarians working in the
province." He noted further, "Supporting the Western College of Veterinary
Medicine at the U of S will help ensure there is high quality veterinary
care available to Alberta cattle producers. High quality veterinary care
provides the Alberta cattle industry with a competitive advantage by helping
to minimize losses and keeping the industry on the forefront of new
veterinary technologies.

The WCVM serves the four western provinces, and is one of only four
veterinary colleges in Canada. Currently, 280 undergraduate students attend
the College, including 80 from Alberta. The College also has about 65
graduate students pursuing advanced training and research.

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For further information, please contact:

Mr. Ron Glaser
Alberta Cattle Commission
#216, 6715 8th Street NE
Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-275-4400


Dr. Alex Livingston
Dean
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Phone: 306-966-7448


Dr. Reuben Mapletoft
Head, Department of Large Animal Clinical Studies
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Phone: 306-966-7149