RDAR Invests in Alberta Regional Silage Trial Program

Feb 15, 2023

RDAR is investing $150,000 for 2-year funding for a project to operate regional silage trial program in Alberta.

The goal of the project is to conduct Regional Silage Trials in a very targeted and controlled method focusing on delivering high quality data that is relevant to the Alberta livestock and crop sectors.

Efficiency and results are primary drivers of the new project. Hence a very compact program will be operated for the next 2 years focusing on delivering data in areas with high silage acreage. In building the proposal, other prairie provinces as well as cattle feeders, beef and dairy sectors in Alberta have been consulted. The rising cost of operating the project has also been taken into consideration, with coordination of sites to be within proximity of other regional variety trial sites to ensure efficiency for both trial coordinators and site cooperators. Rigor of the project will be ensured by adopting the bylaws, policies, procedures, and protocols of ARVAC*, and amending to fit silage trials where appropriate.

This program will constantly be evaluated for efficiency and relevancy, which is intended to operate a project that delivers value to the agriculture sector in Alberta.

Click here to see more...

Video: 2026 T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science - Dan Weary

T.K. Cheung Lecture in Animal Science: "Using science to assess and improve the welfare of dairy cattle"

Dan Weary is a Professor at the University of British Columbia. Dan did his BSc and MSc at McGill and Doctorate at Oxford before co-founding UBC’s Animal Welfare Program where he now co-directs this active research group. His research focuses on understanding the perspectives of animals and applying these insights to develop methods of assessing animal welfare and improving the lives of animals. His work has helped drive changes in practices (including the adoption of higher milk rations for calves and pain management for disbudding) and housing methods (including the adoption of social housing for pre-weaned calves). He also studies cow comfort and lameness, social interactions among cows, and interactions between cows, human handlers and technologies like automated millking systems that are increasingly used on farms. His presentation will outline key questions in cattle welfare, highlight recent UBC research addressing them, and showcase innovative methods for improving the lives of cattle and their caretakers.