New feed mill for University of Saskatchewan
A million tons of excess canola meal could find its way through the doors of a new, $12.6-million feed mill and research centre will help scientists lower the cost of raising livestock by increasing the nutrition of additives, such as low-grade canola, that are used in feed.
Research on the use of canola at this facility is important says project leader Bernard Laarveld, of the college of agriculture and bioresources says. "Roughly two-thirds of the cost of raising an animal to market is the cost of feeding it. Last year those costs shot up, putting pressure on producers and exporters who comprise the $1-billion grain feed industry in Saskatchewan."
"You take a poor-quality feed and throw in a bit of pea or canola oil, then you mix in some flax oil and canola oil, and you go on until you get a whole feed that has high feeding value . . . and that lowers costs to producers."
He says the amount of low-grade canola available is increasing due to biofuel production, while international demand for high-quality feed remains high, especially in Asia.
The new facility replaces the existing research centre north of Circle Drive along the river, which is almost 50 years old. Laarveld says the new facility will mean faster turnaround, since the research and testing will happen at the same site.
The new feed mill from University of Saskatchewan will be ready as early as next summer.
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