SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – The government of Canada announced plans to fund research into an alternative to antibiotics in livestock feed.

Prairie Plant Systems will receive $101,000 to develop new technologies that could replace antibiotics in feed with plant-based supplements that would stimulate an animal’s immune system to resist infection. It is believed that new feed supplements can potentially improve herd health while reducing losses and costs.

"This is the first step in finding alternatives to the use of antibiotics in animal feed," said Brent Zettl, chief executive officer of Prairie Plant Systems. "The long-term goal of our research can have benefits for farmers and consumers alike."