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Alberta invests in veterinary diagnostics to support livestock industry

Starting with Budget 2025, the Alberta government is allocating $9.5 million over three years to the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). This funding will support the operation of a comprehensive veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

UCVM’s diagnostic services provide local veterinarians with accurate diagnoses at competitive prices, aiding in treatment decisions that enhance animal health and welfare. The funding from Budget 2025 allows UCVM’s Diagnostic Services Unit to plan long-term, retained skilled staff, and expand its services.

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, says this funding will enhance its ability to test for various infectious organisms and support disease investigations.

“For almost three decades, Alberta’s livestock producers and veterinarians had to send diagnostic samples to other provinces for results. This funding allows for faster responses to potential animal health threats,” explains Minister Sigurdson.

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The Swine Health Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Jay Johnson from the University of Missouri explores the bioenergetics of heat stress in gestating sows and how it affects growth and fat deposition. He discusses energy partitioning, thermoregulation, and genetic strategies to improve thermal tolerance without compromising productivity. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Gestating sows under heat stress grow faster than those in thermoneutral conditions, with much of that growth going into backfat."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jay Johnson earned his Ph.D. from Iowa State University and is now an Associate Professor of Animal Welfare and Stress Physiology at the University of Missouri. His research focuses on heat stress, swine productivity, and practical welfare innovations through physiology and genomics.