Our Purpose
The Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) brings together under one roof all aspects of beef cattle research into one entity, providing researchers, faculty, students, industry, and producers with a broad-based platform for research, teaching and outreach activities. The centre is also home to world-class bison research that focuses on reproduction, vaccine development and disease control, and nutrition.
We exist to address industry questions. The LFCE and the researchers that work within it aim to develop outcomes that address animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and increased profitability. With access to the controlled settings provided through the LFCE, scientists can approach real-life problems by exploring environmental engineering, soil and plant science, animal science, veterinary medicine, and agricultural economics.
The LFCE supports research, teaching and outreach related to:
- Cow-calf production,
- Beef cattle production,
- Forage breeding and production,
- Grazing and pasture management, and
- Bison reproduction, herd management, disease control and nutrition.
A wide range of people from the University of Saskatchewan and other LFCE partner organizations rely on the centre's resources, including:
- USask researchers and their national/international collaborators,
- USask faculty members and instructors,
- Undergraduate and graduate students, and
- Livestock and forage producers.
Our Vision
The LFCE is an internationally recognized collaborative research facility that brings together scientists and stakeholders across multiple sectors to facilitate and support innovative livestock and forage research, student training and extension, and knowledge mobilization.Our Mission
To facilitate innovative change in the livestock and forage industries that promotes sustainability, quality, profitability and environmental stewardship — from soil to forage to animals to people.
Our Goals
Science-based answers to consumers' questions
Consumers have questions about how western Canadian livestock producers raise animals. At the LFCE, researchers investigate different aspects of livestock production and “test drive” new options to enhance animal welfare, animal health, product quality and food safety on Canada’s farms.
Cost-effective herd management
As input costs increase, livestock producers must adopt the most efficient methods of managing their herds. But what methods make the most sense when you consider economics as well as other factors? Because the operation of the LFCE reflects every stage of the cattle production chain, scientists can analyze the pros and cons of adopting a single cost-saving measure — or a combination of several tactics — in a real-world setting.
A smaller environmental hoof print
The LFCE provides USask environmental researchers with a unique opportunity — the chance to study the impact of intensive livestock operations on a “greenfield” site over five years of development and production. Nothing like this has been done in Canada. Based on these results, the research team will develop “best practices” — identifying what makes the best site for a feedlot and what modifications are necessary to minimize the impact on soil and water resources.
Practical teaching
Students have access to the newest technologies, advanced handling facilities and a large number of animals — cow-calf pairs and feeder cattle — all located close to Saskatoon.
Research synergy
By bringing scientists and producers together, the LFCE allows the research community to be more responsive to the needs of the livestock and forage sectors. We expect more research collaborations with scientists from around the world.
Linking people to knowledge
Using the centre's facilities, agricultural, environment and veterinary researchers connect with producers and industry representatives. Students, researchers, clients, producers and trainees also benefit from hands-on demonstrations and training at the LFCE.