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WGRF Helping Fund New Ag Research Centre in Donnelly

The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is giving $750,000 towards the new Advanced Agriculture Research Centre of Excellence at SARDA AG Research in Donnelly, Alta., a Sept. 28 news release said.

SARDA Ag Research is a non-profit organization directed by producers from the Alberta municipal districts of Smoky River, Greenview, Big Lakes County, Northern Sunrise County and the County of Grande Prairie, the release said.

“SARDA’s research has been benefiting producers in the region for more than 30 years,” Keith Degenhardt, WGRF board chair said in the release.  “WGRF is excited to contribute to this unique opportunity for SARDA to build a hub in the north for advanced agricultural research.”

“SARDA envisions the Advanced Agriculture Research Centre of Excellence as a place for producers and researchers to gather, share new ideas on crop research, methodology and facilitate the transfer of quality research information,” Vance Yaremko, executive director of SARDA, said in the release. “We are very grateful to WGRF for the investment in our research centre. SARDA is providing more than $960,000 towards the new building for a total project cost of more than $1.7 Million.”

The release noted SARDA expects the Advanced Agriculture Research Centre of Excellence to be completed by spring 2023.

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In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Dr. Kwangwook Kim, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, discusses the use of non-nutritive sweeteners in nursery pig diets. He explains how sucralose and neotame influence feed intake, gut health, metabolism, and the frequency of diarrhea compared to antibiotics. The conversation highlights mechanisms beyond palatability, including hormone signaling and nutrient transport. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Receptors responsible for sweet taste are present not only in the mouth but also along the intestinal tract.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Kwangwook Kim / kwangwook-kim is an Assistant Professor at Michigan State University, specializing in swine nutrition and feed additives under disease challenge models. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Sciences from the University of California, Davis, where he focused on intestinal health and metabolic responses in pigs. His research evaluates alternatives to antibiotics, targeting gut health and performance in nursery pigs.