Alberta is famously a livestock province, renowned for producing some of the world's best meat. Livestock is also a significant driver of Alberta's economy, with livestock market receipts totalling almost $12 billion in 2024. For this essential industry to keep growing and thriving, it needs quick, affordable diagnostics and robust disease preparedness.
Beginning with Budget 2025, Alberta's government is providing the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) with a total of $9.5 million over three years to continue operating a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory.
"For almost 30 years, Alberta livestock producers and veterinarians had to send diagnostic samples to Saskatchewan or other provinces to get results. This funding will ensure they can get results much quicker, allowing for faster responses to potential animal health-related threats. In uncertain times, this ensures the safety and wellbeing of our livestock sector and reassures international markets that our animals are healthy and safe for import."
RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation
UCVM supports local veterinary diagnostics, allowing veterinarians to make accurate diagnoses at competitive prices, which aids in treatment decisions that improve animal health and welfare outcomes. The stable, predictable funding provided in Budget 2025 allows for the UCVM's Diagnostic Services Unit to plan for the long-term, retain highly skilled staff and continue to expand its services. This will give it an expanded ability to test for more types of infectious organisms and support disease investigations.
This funding will ensure Alberta's livestock producers and veterinarians have access to in-province diagnostic testing, leading to quicker results at more affordable rates.
"This funding not only strengthens services essential to animal health, it's also a strategic investment in Alberta's economic future. Enhancing our diagnostic capacity means quicker results, improved disease response, and keeping expertise and resources right here in Alberta."
Sandra Davidson, provost and vice-president (academic), University of Calgary
"We're grateful to the Government of Alberta for recognizing the vital role of the Diagnostic Services Unit in protecting animal and public health and in strengthening the sustainability of our agricultural economy. This investment ensures we can continue to serve Alberta with timely, high-quality diagnostic services."
Renate Weller, dean, University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
"We're grateful to the Government of Alberta for supporting UCVM's Diagnostic Services, which enables rapid, local diagnostics and direct communication with the diagnostic team. This investment supports animal welfare, producer success, and food safety - strengthening Alberta's leadership in livestock care."
Teryn Girard, production animal veterinarian, Prairie Livestock Veterinarians
Quick facts
- Alberta is one of the largest livestock producing provinces:
- Alberta has more cattle than any other province.
- Alberta has the second-most sheep and lambs of any province.
- Alberta has 10 per cent of the national pig herd.
- Funding breakdown:
- 2025 - 26: $3.1 million
- 2026 - 27: $3.1 million
- 2027 - 28: $3.3 million
