The Plant Protein Alliance Of Alberta Has Ended

A cut in provincial funding means the end of the Plant Protein Alliance of Alberta.

 

It was formed about 3 years ago and was expecting to get its annual grant of 250 thousand dollars from the provincial government this year. As recently as last month, the Alliance was told the money was coming. But by the end of March, they were told there was no funding coming. It had no choice but to shut down. Some of the work the Alliance did over the past three years was to help new agricultural companies grow and navigate government red tape.

 

Postmedia received an email from Alberta agriculture and Forestry saying the alliance did great work over the past few years and we thank them for their efforts. There have been ongoing cuts to the ag department for the past two years, resulting in hundreds of jobs lost as the government hands over the responsibility of ag research to the private sector.

Video: Season 6, Episode 10: Defining Resiliency and the Research Driving Swine Health Forward

Genetic research and new technologies continue to influence the future of swine health and production efficiency. In this episode, we explore how research and technology are being used to support stronger, more resilient pigs, while also improving overall production outcomes. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jenelle Dunkelberger, geneticist with Topigs Norsvin, to discuss both routine and emerging strategies for improving piglet, pig, and sow livability. She outlines two primary approaches to enhancing resiliency: gene editing and traditional selective breeding. Continuing the resiliency conversation, we also hear from Dr. Lucina Galina, director of technical research projects at the Pig Improvement Company. She shares insights into ongoing gene-editing work focused on PRRS, detailing the pathway to success, regulatory and practical considerations, and the questions that still remain as the technology evolves. Together, these conversations provide a closer look at how research, genetics and innovation are shaping the future of swine health and livability.