NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Using C$4.8 million ($4.8 million) in funding from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency, Genome Alberta has started a new competition to fund grants for research cattle and swine genomics research projects that can have an impact on animal health and product quality.
These collaborative projects, which may be conducted by provincial, national, and international research institutions, or by private industry, will receive up to C$500,000 for studies that contribute to Alberta's livestock and meat industry.
Alberta has over 5.5 million head of cattle providing over C$3 billion in farm cash, and the province raises 2.3 million hogs each year.
"Our organization will be working with the academic community and various industry sectors to ensure the high priority areas are funded with results that will benefit both consumers and the livestock sector," Genome Alberta CEO David Bailey said in a statement.
Based in Calgary, Genome Alberta is one of Canada's six Genome Centers. Letters of intent for grants from the Alberta Livestock Genomics Program may be submitted until May 17, 2010.