Evidence of meeting #26 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was funding.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Is that a particular focus of one part of the research agenda? Or are you asking across the board for people to be looking at that?
Research Manager, Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattlemen's Association
We have particular studies in that area but to be honest with you, that's the cross-sectoral approach because that engages your feed efficiency, your forage and grazing utilization. When we're doing that, and you're looking at improvements in genetics and genomics, you have to ensure that you're not compromising quality—tenderness, those types of genetics. That's where a lot of our programs and research projects are. They are very much across multiple sectors and multiple areas, and they have to be to ensure long-term economic sustainability.
NDP
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
If we're looking at the impact of climate change, for instance, on grain production, that's certainly going to have some large impacts on the economics of beef production. Is any look being given to that, other than, as you were talking about, the efficiency parts of it?
Research Manager, Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattlemen's Association
I think it speaks to the fact that we're ultimately trying to optimize how we feed our animals, and as that evolves, making sure that we can still produce at the end of the day, but in a manner that uses the least amount of resources. And that's done partially by improving the productivity of the feed grains we use, but also by reducing the number of days that the animal has to be on feed. That's through feed efficiency, that type of thing. But also, as I indicated, animal health is part of that and plays a huge role. The healthier your animals are, ultimately the better they perform.
NDP
Randall Garrison NDP Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Okay.
When you're talking about animal health and welfare, as somebody who represents primarily an urban and then hobby farm riding—I have both ends of this—I was wondering if you would tell us a little more about the kind of research that's being done in the animal health and welfare areas.
Research Manager, Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattlemen's Association
The industry is challenged by this, particularly when we talk to our global trading partners, as well as with our public. To be honest, producers know they're doing a good job, but sometimes it's about demonstrating that and having independent people to do that. So the first work was very much focused on transport, and it was a cross-collaborative initiative between university and federal researchers.
The good news story about that is that we found that 99% of the animals getting off trucks were healthy and good. Actually, the place where urban people most likely see animals is on trucks. But what that research also allowed us to do was to figure out where the vulnerable animals were. And we saw them. They were the cull cows and your feeder animals.
So how best can one improve transport in those situations? Sometimes we see regulations—and I'm not saying within Canada—imposed, say, on transport, because of perceptions. In this case, if animals have to be stopped to water because of our perception, unloading them and loading them again can actually cause more stress. That's the type of thing we're trying to address with research. What's the impact of having to unload and load more frequently versus going a couple of more hours to the destination?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bev Shipley
Thank you very much, Mr. Garrison.
I'll now move to Mr. Zimmer for five minutes, please.
Conservative
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River, BC
Thank you for appearing before the agriculture committee today.
I had a question I wanted to ask of even the previous witnesses and now you as well. If we're to invest a million dollars as an example, in your estimation, dollar for dollar in terms of investment for innovation and competitiveness, what would the return be, based on the results that you've seen? I'd like to hear both of you comment.
Conservative
Executive Director, Canadian Livestock Genetics Association
Right. I don't know if I can actually answer that question, dollar for dollar. I know that the dairy industry has done tremendous work with the partnership with the government, through NSERC funding, and various avenues, including Ag Canada. I can't really speak to the actual dollar for dollar value.
Conservative
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River, BC
I think it would be beneficial because we represent the taxpayer and I think they want to know that, for every dollar that's being invested—
Executive Director, Canadian Livestock Genetics Association
Absolutely, but the mandate of my organization isn't actually research, so I can't speak to it. I'm not involved. The Dairy Farmers of Canada would know more on the dairy side of the value of the research, as compared to the Canadian Livestock Genetics Association.
Research Manager, Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattlemen's Association
We're challenged with answering that question every day by producers who pay check-off. It's a very difficult valuation, by the way. But what we have done over the last 10 years is to look at the reductions that we've seen—say a 34% reduction in land use to produce the same amount of product—and at the investments in research. What we know from a check-off investment standpoint is that for every dollar invested of check-off, there is a $40 return to research. That indicates, because of under-investment of research from industry...and that's part of the impetus for what we've seen with the over tripling of investment in research in the last five years. I think that also speaks to the government's investments in research. I can't say that for every dollar there's a $40 return, but when you look at the spin-offs, I think you could confidently say that it's up there.
Conservative
Bob Zimmer Conservative Prince George—Peace River, BC
Yes. Thank you for that.
I think one of my colleagues here asked about this, but what are some of the new things you're seeing in the future in regard to some of the innovations we're seeing and the potential that's out there? We've heard about a few examples, but it seemed like you didn't have enough time to answer more fully, because there should be a lot, I'm assuming.
I'll give you some time here to tell us what we can see coming on the horizon for Canadian producers in terms of potential, especially with CETA, the new agreement we've worked on, and the potential that it really holds for Canadian producers. Please speak to that, if you can.
We'll start with Andrea this time.
Research Manager, Beef Cattle Research Council, Canadian Cattlemen's Association
I think the potential is large. We know there's a growing beef demand in the world, and we know consumers are wanting a safe product and a high-quality product, and Canada can provide that.
I think the big thing we see as a challenge from a production standpoint—because right now we're short of animals—is that decision between whether you're going to produce beef or produce crops. What are you going to produce? That's where, in terms of our margins, we need that improvement in profit. Really, it's about improvements in productivity moving forward and being able to produce that product in a sustainable manner.
I think it's important to point out—and it speaks to previous discussions—that there are a lot of questions being raised about the use of new technologies. At the same time, consumers want a relatively cheap product. They want it to be safe, and they want it to be sustainable—all of these things. Those technologies are ultimately what allow us to do that. We need to have greater communication about them and discussion of what the benefits of those technologies are. If you want environmental sustainability, we do need to see enhancements in feed efficiency and those types of things.
It's very much the investment in productivity improvements, but also, then, communication as to the value of technology to the broader public.
Conservative
Executive Director, Canadian Livestock Genetics Association
Again, we see genomics as a big aspect of where the industry is going on the genetic side and applying that to human and animal health. Europe is definitely a leader; you mentioned the agreement, CETA, with their health herd protocols. I think it puts us in a spot where we really have to take a hard look at ours and then make sure we're up to the task.
But again, with new technologies going forward, it's definitely going to be about how to use genomics to the maximum and how we breed animals that are going to be healthier, with less interventions, producing a healthier product for consumers.
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Bev Shipley
Thank you very much.
The time's up. I appreciate that, Mr. Zimmer.
I want to say thank you to Andrea Brocklebank for joining us today and also to Michael Hall for joining us by video conference. We appreciate it very much. These were very good presentations.
Committee members, I want to thank you for sticking to your times and for your good questions.
With that, we'll adjourn.