The Canadian poultry industry invests a considerable amount in
research. This investment comes from marketing boards and other
industry organizations across the country. As we work towards
maximizing the impact of this collective investment, there may be
opportunities to improve efficiencies and increase the degree to which
industry funds are leveraged with other sources of funding.
MAKING THE MOST OF OUR INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH
The Canadian poultry industry invests a considerable amount in research. This investment comes from marketing boards and other industry organizations across the country. As we work towards maximizing the impact of this collective investment, there may be opportunities to improve efficiencies and increase the degree to which industry funds are leveraged with other sources of funding. The Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC) recently hosted a workshop to explore these opportunities.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
The workshop started with a presentation on the value of research. Research is critically important to ensure a vibrant, economically viable poultry industry. It is also essential to train our next generation of researchers and industry professionals. However important, it was noted that there has been a decline in government funding for poultry research. There is a finite amount of government money for research in general and the poultry sector must compete with other sectors, from dairy and hogs, to steel manufacturing and mining.
CURRENT FUNDING
One of the goals of the workshop was to get a clear picture of the current level of funding for poultry research in Canada. Prior to the workshop, a survey was sent to all the organizations in Canada that fund poultry research, or have the potential to do so. Not all organizations responded, but the survey tallied more than $1.75 million in annual budgets for poultry research from the private sector, including industry organizations. Public (government) research dollars are far greater than those from the private sector. The exact amount slated for poultry research, however, is not easy to ascertain. Most budgets are for agriculture research in general; the amount of money directed specifically to poultry research depends on which grant applications are approved for funding. The survey suggested that less than five per cent of public funds for agricultural research are directed to poultry research. There is a clear
opportunity for the poultry sector to access more of these funds.
OPPORTUNITIES
The workshop group explored potential opportunities to increase the impact of industry’s collective investment in research. There are significant opportunities to “leverage” industry funds with government sources. For example, a research proposal with industry support can be submitted to one of many available government programs for funding and, if approved, will be funded by both industry and government. Taking advantage of this kind of partnership effectively stretches industry dollars for research. The CPRC takes advantage of this opportunity by requiring that a research project secure funding from non-industry sources. Thus far, each industry dollar associated with a CPRC-supported project has been matched almost two to one by government sources. With a more co-ordinated approach, industry funding for poultry research across Canada can be leverageed to a much greater extent.
THE DAIRY FARMERS’ EXAMPLE
CPRC invited a representative from Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) to speak at the workshop. DFC has been very successful in ensuring that each dollar it puts up in support of research is utilized to the greatest extent. The dairy industry collectively decides (with producer input) on research priorities and directs its research investment appropriately. As a result, the industry, through DFC, is able to speak with one voice and has been successful in partnering with government on a number of fronts. As with CPRC, matching funding from other sources is a prerequisite for research funding from DFC. The dairy industry recognizes not only the importance of co-operation with government, but also with the academic community.
THE RESEARCHERS’ PERSPECTIVE
Workshop participants heard from an academic representative. The cost of doing research is steadily increasing, making it increasingly important to make every research dollar count. There may be opportunities for the various funders of poultry research in Canada to work towards a more collaborative approach that will increase efficiencies both in terms of reducing administrative effort and avoiding unnecessary duplication of research. It would be easier, for example, for a researcher to submit one grant application to a consortium of several funders, rather than apply to each funder individually. In addition, funders grouped in a consortium would be able to direct pooled resources towards research of common interest.
NEXT STEPS
After the day’s discussions, workshop participants came to a consensus that CPRC should take on a greater role as the national co-ordinator and voice for Canadian poultry research. As CPRC further develops its strategic plan, it will consider this recommendation and detail the role it will play in maximizing the Canadian poultry sector’s collective investment in research.
For more details on any CPRC activities, please contact Gord Speksnijder at The Canadian Poultry Research Council, 483 Arkell Road, R.R. #2, Guelph, Ontario, N1H 6H8, phone: (289) 251-2990, fax: (519) 837-3584, email: info@cp-rc.ca, or visit us at www.cp-rc.ca. n
The membership of the CPRC consists of the Chicken Farmers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, Canadian Turkey Marketing Agency, Egg Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors’ Council. CPRC’s mission is to address its members’ needs through dynamic leadership in the creation and implementation of programs for poultry research in Canada, which may also include societal concerns.
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