AAFC invests $37.6 million in projects, including one for AD

The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lawrence MacAulay, recently announced that—as part of the 2016 budget—the federal government will invest $37.6 million to modernize a number of AAFC research stations and laboratories in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec, including the installation of an anaerobic digester at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre.

In addition to the installation of a new bioreactor to help investigate the use of biological products and processes for treating farm wastes, the funds will be used to upgrade a research and pilot plant facility in order to improve food safety and food processing; add new efficient growth chambers in a number of centers to help scientists conduct plant and crops research; and improve the energy efficiency at facilities to reduce their environmental footprint.

"This funding highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to increasing Canada's scientific excellence,” said MacAulay. “Having the right research infrastructure and equipment strengthens AAFC's science capacity, and its ability to serve the agricultural sector and helps it be more competitive in a global economy."

The installation of the bioreactor is receiving $1.5 million. The initiative will utilize a technology developed by AAFC that allows low-temperature, high-performance anaerobic digestion technology. The Sherbrooke Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre is developing a system of bioreactors for turning pig slurry into fertilizer. The center is part of AAFC’s national network of 20 research centers, and was established in 1914 in Sherbrooke, in the Eastern Townships region of Quebec. The center is the only AAFC research center specialized in research primarily for the Canadian dairy and swine industries.

The full list of AAFC investment projects can be found here.