Olds College will now be home to a purebred Red Angus herd.
The Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society donated 10 heifer calves, which will be managed by the college’s Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production.
“We intend to immediately incorporate these donated animals into applied research projects that focus on production efficiency, animal health and welfare, and environmental sustainability,” said centre manager Sean Thompson in a statement.
“There will also be an initial focus specifically on bench-marking genetics and performance, so that we can measure progress with time.
“Academic integration will follow shortly, and students will be involved in the herd activities through class and student club participation.”
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The college will be able to access service bulls, or donated semen, to allow greater reach to superior Red Angus genetics from across Canada to improve its own breeding program.
“We are very excited to be involved in this new partnership with Olds College,” said Darnell Fornwald, of First Class Cattle Marketing.
“We feel this is a great way to not only showcase Red Angus cattle, but also promote the entire purebred beef industry in youth across the country.
“By giving the college access to some of the best Red Angus genetics in the country, students attending Olds College will now have limitless opportunities to succeed in numerous areas of the beef industry. We will be watching this brand new herd with great interest for years to come.”
The Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society consists of 275 beef cattle breeders.