U of S names new feed research chair

As the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Endowed Research Chair in Feed Processing Technology, Rex Newkirk will be working to develop improved feed and pet food products, new markets for Saskatchewan-grown crops and profitability for the agriculture sector.

“I am very pleased to be back at the University of Saskatchewan and am looking forward to working with the industry and government to add value to ingredients and feeds,” said Newkirk, who completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and doctorate at the U of S. “The Department of Animal and Poultry Science has a great reputation for practical value-added research, and I hope to continue and build upon that tradition through our work at the new Canadian Feed Research Centre in North Battleford.”

“Our government recognizes that in order to grow the agriculture industry, we need to make strategic investments into research and innovation,” Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture Lyle Stewart said. “We are pleased to support the feed research chair and look forward to following Professor Newkirk’s achievements as the new research chair in feed processing technology.”

Newkirk, who was appointed to the Chair on Nov. 1, will collaborate with researchers in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science, the Crop Development Centre, Prairie Swine Centre and the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the U of S.

“Professor Newkirk is globally renowned in the processing of a wide variety of crop products to provide a myriad of end products,” said Mary Buhr, dean of the College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “As the research lead for the U of S Canadian Feed Research Centre, he will drive integrating crop characteristics with processing features and nutritional availability in desirable end products.”

Prior to becoming the feed processing technology chair at the U of S, Newkirk was the vice-president, research and innovation, at the Canadian International Grains Institute in Winnipeg and an adjunct professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the U of S.

For more information, contact:
James Shewaga
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851
james.shewaga@usask.ca

Kira Glasscock
Communications Co-ordinator
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-6873
kira.glasscock@usask.ca