A new beef feedlot barn at the Elora Research Station is helping a U of G professor in his quest to find a genetic combination for beef cattle that will produce better-tasting meat and make life easier for farmers. The community will have a chance to tour the facility April 26 during an open house from 1 to 4 p.m.
The 22,464-square-foot barn is unique in Canada, says Prof. Steve Miller, Animal and Poultry Science. It includes a feedlot that can monitor feed intake of nearly 200 cattle and a handling unit for ultrasound, blood testing and body composition measurements.
“The goal is to build a better beef market,” says Miller, adding that Canada's beef industry contributes about $20 billion annually to the economy. “This barn is a tool to help farmers do just that.”
The “tool” includes equipment valued at more than $2 million that is being used to develop unprecedented breeding programs to improve both production efficiency and meat quality. It's the first time such equipment has existed in one facility.
