Alberta's livestock producers will benefit from increased funding for the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Services Unit.
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson says the government is investing $9.5 million over three years, with $3.5 million being allotted each year. The funding is earmarked for the continued development of a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Calgary.
He says the province has been supporting this project since 2020 and has been closely monitoring its impact as it continues to grow.
"This stable, reliable long-term funding will allow the unit to plan for the long term, keeping highly skilled staff and offer even more services to our livestock producers."
The funding allows the facility to expand its ability to test for more infectious organisms and support disease investigations.
He says, As for Alberta's livestock producers and veterinarians, this means diagnostic services are much closer to home.
"Any producer can tell you how important their vet is to their operation, and any vet can tell you how important quick, reliable diagnostics are, not only are diagnostics essential for human and animal health and disease preparedness, they are also crucial for market access especially in times of trade uncertainty."
Renate Weller, dean of UCVM, says this investment ensures we can continue to serve Alberta with timely, high-quality diagnostic services that protect both animal and public health.
Before the lab's expansion, producers and veterinarians had to send diagnostic samples out to other provinces, often delaying results and increasing costs. Now, with in-province testing, they benefit from quicker turnaround times and more direct communication with diagnostic experts.