Funding for these projects is provided through the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). "Saskatchewan is a world leader in agricultural research," said Mr Ritz.

"The Agriculture Development Fund and work done in the province's research institutions help producers innovate to strengthen our economy here in Saskatchewan and across Canada." "Research is vital to the future of our industry and ranchers across Saskatchewan will benefit from these projects," Mr Stewart said. "Our government's continued commitment to innovation will help our producers remain competitive and will continue to ensure Saskatchewan produces safe, reliable agriculture products."

Livestock and forage projects receiving funding in 2013 include:

• New forage barley for beef and dairy producers;
• Development of oral and needle-free vaccines for calves;
• Analysis of sheep health in the province;
• New nutritional feeds for piglets;
• Improving the energy value in high-protein feed;
• DNA testing technologies for cattle;
• Improved production management tools for cow-calf operations;
• Development of new vaccines for poultry; and
• Field-testing a vaccine against chronic wasting disease.

This funding will leverage an additional $3.1 million in third-party project funding. Earlier this month the federal and provincial governments announced $6.5 million for crop-related research projects, making the total 2013 ADF investment nearly $10 million for crop, livestock and forage research.

In addition, annual operational funding will continue to be provided from ADF to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization ($300,000), the Prairie Swine Centre ($330,000) and the Western Beef Development Centre ($395,000).

This research funding is part of a record $20.4 million provincial agriculture research budget in 2012-13, which is an increase of more than 50 per cent since 2007. More than $57 million in research project funding has been provided through ADF since 2007.

This investment in agriculture research will help achieve goals set out in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, such as increasing crop production by 10 million tonnes, increasing provincial agriculture exports by $5 billion, expanding livestock production and by establishing Saskatchewan as an international leader in biosciences by 2020.

"We are pleased with the funding announced today for livestock and forage research," Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association Chair Mark Elford said. "Cattle producers value this research and it is important to the future of the cattle industry."

"Ranchers are always looking to improve their production and the research projects announced today will test ideas that will help them achieve this goal," Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association President Harold Martens said.

"Sask Pork appreciates the investment of research funding into areas such as swine nutrition and diseases," Sask Pork Chair Jay McGrath said.

"We would like to thank the federal and provincial governments for this investment in forage research," Saskatchewan Forage Council President Aaron Ivey said. "Research is a priority for forage producers and it will help our industry continue to grow."

Funding for ADF projects is provided under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) initiative. Under Growing Forward 2, FPT governments will continue to support the development of an innovative, competitive and profitable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.