Research

The areas of research are very broad and include:

• sustainable management systems
• genetics, molecular genetics and genetic resources
• nutrition and metabolism, functional foods, feed ingredient development and evaluation
• grazing and forage systems
• feed processing
• digestive, growth and lactation physiology
• gastrointestinal microbiology, pre- and pro-biotics, and animal health
• aboriginal wildlife, land and resource management, human-wildlife conflict
• animal behaviour and welfare
• aquatic toxicology in northern ecosystems

Animals studied include beef and dairy cattle, sheep, horses, swine, poultry, pets, fish and wildlife.

Animal and Poultry Science provides excellent research facilities, many on campus within walking distance to the Agriculture Building. A new dairy research and teaching facility and a new feed processing research facility, the Canadian Feed Research Centre, are under construction with completion expected in 2012. A new beef research station is under development. Additional excellent research facilities are available through collaborative ties, including Adjunct Faculty with the Western Beef Development Centre, Prairie Swine Centre and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Strong interdisciplinary research collaborations exist with other departments in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources and with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. The University of Saskatchewan also offers unique research opportunities for agriculture and bioresources through affiliated institutions on campus such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, National Research Council - Plant Biotechnology Institute, Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organization/InterVac, and the Canadian Light Source - Synchrotron.

The Department of Animal and Poultry Science has strong partnerships with industry and government, ensuring appropriate research is done effectively and efficiently. These strategic alliances also help quickly deliver research findings and new developments to stakeholders.