The Prairie Swine Centre, a non-profit corporation affiliated with the University of Saskatchewan and located near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in collaboration with Gowans Feed Consulting, a leading Canadian swine nutrition consulting firm are offering a unique opportunity to combine graduate studies with practical training and industry experience in swine nutrition.

The Gowans Feed Consulting Graduate Student in Nutrition Award is available at the PhD or Masters level and will include a minimum of 2 practical training modules aimed at boosting experience and expertise in commercial swine production, nutrition and feed manufacturing.  Selected research topics will consider a balance between meeting academic rigor, practical training and industry application.  The award will be among the highest available to a graduate student providing up to $20,000 per year of study (PhD award) in addition to the normal Graduate Research Assistantship stipend. Full time employment with Gowans Feed Consulting may be offered to successful graduates upon completion of the program.

Successful applicants for the M.Sc. program will have a B.Sc. in animal science or related discipline.  For the Ph.D. program, applicants will have a M.Sc. in animal nutrition or equivalent.  Students at the Prairie Swine Centre are enrolled in the College of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Saskatchewan.  They need strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, and have the intent to work as a member of a research team.  Preference will be given to those students with swine or feed industry experience.

The Prairie Swine Centre represents a unique approach to research and technology transfer, maintaining strong linkages with the pork industry while continuing an emphasis on quality academic endeavour.  Active in research, education and technology transfer, the Centre operates a 300 sow farrow-to-finish commercial research herd with extensive surgery, metabolism and intensive research facilities.  It recently completed a major expansion of its office facilities and provides students with modern office space, including excellent access to computer facilities.  The nutrition research program is part of a broader research program at the Centre that also includes engineering and applied ethology (behaviour).

Gowans Feed Consulting (GFC) is a leading Canadian swine nutrition consulting firm serving swine producers across Canada and in select international markets.  GFC nutritionists provide hands on consulting services which include regular barn visits with a focus on reducing feed costs and maximizing net returns.  Also active in research and technology transfer, GFC in partnership with Drumloche Farm operate a 2000 head commercial grow-finish research facility near Irma Alberta.

Interested applicants should contact Dr. Denise Beaulieu, Prairie Swine Centre Inc., P.O. Box 21057, 2105 – 8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, CANADA S7H 5N9 Phone (306) 667-7441; e-mail denise.beaulieu@usask.ca and/or Dr. Malachy Young, Gowans Feed Consulting, 1837 11^th Ave., Wainwright AB T9W 1N3 Phone (780) 842-9221; email malachyy@telus.net