/EINPresswire.com/ -- CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 03/02/16 -- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay announced today that the Government of Canada is investing up to $2,588,000 to help support international and domestic market development activities for Canadian beef cattle genetics.

This investment will enable the Canadian Beef Breeds Council (CBBC) to implement a market development strategy, attend international trade shows and lead missions to raise awareness of Canadian beef genetics, concentrating efforts on expanding key markets including the United States, Mexico, Europe, China and Kazakhstan.

Quick Facts

--  The Canadian beef genetics industry comprises live breeding cattle,
    semen and embryos. In 2015, it reported over $31 million in export
    sales.
--  Canadian Beef Breeds Council supports the purebred cattle industry in
    areas of international marketing and breed improvement.
--  This investment is being made under the Growing Forward 2 AgriMarketing
    Program, a five-year, up to $341-million initiative.

Quotes

"This investment is a great example of industry and government working together to help create new economic opportunities and demand for Canadian beef genetics at home, and around the world."

--  Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The continued support from the Government of Canada has been instrumental in enabling CBBC to showcase our exceptional beef cattle genetics to the world resulting in new opportunities that directly contribute to the economic sustainability of the family farm."

--  David Bolduc, President, Canadian Beef Breeds Council

Additional Links

- AgriMarketing Program (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

- Growing Forward 2 (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)

- www.canadianbeefbreeds.com

Contacts:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada