Technology transfer manager joins Prairie Swine Centre

15-11-2011 | Home | News

Lee Whittington, President of Prairie Swine Centre, announces the appointment of Mr. Kenneth Engele to the management team. Meeting the needs of pork producers, service sectors, and industry associations through the delivery of a timely and effective Technology Transfer program has been a crucial part of Prairie Swine Centre’s success.

“It’s great to welcome someone with Ken’s background”, notes Lee Whittington, President/CEO – Prairie Swine Centre, “He has excellent understanding of what makes the pork industry tick, and how Prairie Swine Centre can meet the needs of Canadian producers.”

Ken brings more than 14 years of swine industry experience, both on the commercial level, in addition to developing expertise in the areas of assessing the economic impact of hog marketing and research in the swine industry. At Prairie Swine Centre his work will focus on delivering an effective and timely communication with pork producers, and those organizations that service the pork industry. Ken will also be responsible for managing the Technology Transfer component of the Canadian Swine and Research Development Cluster.

The CSRDC consists of 14 research projects across Canada designed to reduce the cost of production, focus on product differentiation, Ken will be responsible for working with researchers funded by the program to ensure timely, accurate delivery of results from the research to the industry.

As a national Technology Transfer program, Mr. Engele will be seeking to enhance cooperation between the many industry, extension, and government agencies that regularly interact with pork producers

Funding for the position was provided, in part from the Canadian Swine Research and Development Cluster (CSRDC) established within the Growing Canadian Agri-Innovation Program – Canadian Agri-Science Cluster initiatives of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The objectives of CSRDC are to facilitate research, technology transfer, and commercialization initiatives designed to enhance the competitiveness and differentiation of the pork industry.

“The pork industry is a dynamic industry that is always on the edge of adopting new technologies to increase efficiencies and sustainability”, notes Mr. Engele, “I look forward to meeting and working with producers and the industry to drive the pork industry forward in the future.”