Research and Innovation

In 2021/22, Sask Pork and hog producers across the province funded $456,837 in research and innovation to continually improve the profitability and production of sustainably raised, safe, high-quality pork.

Sask Pork works closely with several research organization partners to help provide the most impactful research possible for the industry.

Prairie Swine Centre

Sask Pork has a core funding agreement with Prairie Swine Centre (PSC), a non-profit research and technology corporation with expertise in three disciplines -behaviour, nutrition, and engineering.

The research program, with a decidedly near market emphasis, creates information to improve the financial position of pork producers in addition to addressing those areas that enhance sustainability (welfare, environmental) for the Canadian pork industry. Funds from Sask Pork are applied to four research pillars at PSC that focus on practical and innovative initiatives, graduate education, and knowledge transfer activities.

Swine Innovation Porc

Swine Innovation Porc is a non-profit that facilities research in the Canadian swine sector. Its main objective is to enhance the profitability and sustainability of the pork industry by supporting the development of the most innovative technologies that will benefit the pork value chain. It’s funded by the federal government, Sask Pork and the other seven provincial pork organizations, as well as multiple private partners within the pork industry. Sask Pork and other provincial pork producer organizations contribute 2.5 cents per market hog and .5 cents per weanling, which is used to leverage public dollars and multiply investment in research and development to benefit the industry. Every $1 from producer organizations is used to leverage an additional $8 from other funding sources.

Eight projects are being carried out either partly or entirely in Saskatchewan as part of the five-year Swine Cluster 3 research program (2018-2023) that includes 14 primarily research and development projects in animal health, nutrition, welfare, environment, and pork quality.

College of Agriculture & Bioresources

Students at The College of Agriculture and Bioresources at the University of Saskatchewan have a unique advantage in their studies with easy access to dairy, poultry, sheep, fish and metabolic teaching facilities located on-campus close to the state-of-the-art Agriculture Building.

The department has extensive and high quality applied and basic research programs covering a wide range of topics in animal science and related areas, and maintains an excellent relationship with industry.

Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research, is a world leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development for humans and animals. As part of the University of Saskatchewan, VIDO’s expertise, infrastructure, and history put us at the forefront of innovation and make it a valuable resource and a source of pride for Canada.

Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are making internationally significant discoveries in a range of areas including basic and applied sciences, clinical sciences, comparative medicine, food safety, toxicology, public health, environmental health and other aspects of One Health.

An exceptional mix of basic and clinical scientists, newly upgraded facilities and technological resources, and a thriving graduate program all combine to make this institution an effective force in the research world with great potential to expand efforts in bridging animal and human health.

Faculty members and graduate students at the WCVM participate and collaborate in a number of multi-disciplinary research groups that bring together scientists who work on campus or in other centres around the world.