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  General
The Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC) is a division of the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) that plays a unique and vital role in the development of the Western Canadian cattle industry. As an intermediary, the WBDC communicates directly with the research community and the cattle industry. Practical and applicable research is used to provide technologies that enable producers to become increasingly competitive in today's marketplace.
As a division of PAMI, the WBDC has access to management and technical staff as well as a wide range of facilities and equipment. PAMI in registered to ISO Standard 9001-2000.
History
The WBDC was incorporated in Saskatchewan as a not-for-profit corporation in 1996 as a partnership involving the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF). In 1998 the WBDC leased the Termuende ranch from the University of Saskatchewan and at the same time leased the Pathlow pasture from SAF. A breeding herd of 300 was obtained from the Horned Cattle Purchases Fund (HCPF). Along with this the WBDC purchased the Termuende cattle herd and the ranch and cattle equipment from the U of S. A three-year operating and capital grant from the Agri-Food Innovation Fund funded the operations of the WBDC. Using these resources, a research program was established and carried out.
Mission
Our mission is to maximize the profitability of the cow/calf industry in Saskatchewan.
 Focus
The focus of the WBDC involves 3 areas:
- Management and economics of cow/calf production
- Grazing management of perennial and annual forages
- Sustainable cow/calf production systems
Funding
Funding for the WBDC comes from several sources. The Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund is providing core funding for operations and capital. SAF provides additional funding through strategic research programs by funding a research team consisting of two principal investigators plus two support research technicians. Offspring from the breeding herd are sold annually to provide working funds to run the operation. Another source of revenue is fee-for-service projects conducted by the WBDC for third-party clients.
Governance
A Board of Directors consisting of five members governs the overall operations of PAMI. Saskatchewan's Minister of Agriculture and Food appoints these members. A Strategic Advisory Committee consisting of producer, research, and government representatives guides the programs of the WBDC. This committee is responsible to the PAMI Board of Directors who appoint the members of this committee.
The following individuals were appointed to the Strategic Advisory Committee for the term 2009 – 2012.
Chairman
Tim Oleksyn (producer)
Members
Rick Toney (producer)
Duane Thompson (producer)
Murray McGillivray (producer)
Dave Kerr (producer)
Dennis Edwards (producer)
Vacant (producer)
Dr. John McKinnon (Animal & Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan)
Dr. Steve Hendrick (College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan)
Greg Haase (Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture)
Jim Armstrong, (Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture)
Rick Gaube (Agriculture and AgriFood Canada)
Dr. John Popp (Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives)
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