Biography

University of Saskatchewan - Agriculture

at University of Saskatchewan
Higher Education
Bernard
Laarveld
Saskatchewan, Canada
As a Professor in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources I have a strong interest in innovation and R&D in agriculture and bioresource sectors with emphasis on technology transfer and commercialization.

Current research includes the development of ruminant feeds using byproducts from the biofuel industry; development of nutraceutical feed products; the study of metabolic diseases in animals; and process development for the biorefining of biomass from agriculture and forestry.

I teach animal nutrition and physiology to agriculture and veterinary students, and on the role of animal agriculture in global food production. I coordinate the 4th year undergraduate thesis capstone course.

Research infrastructure development is an important priority. Funding of $13 million, including from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, was acquired for the construction of the Canadian Feed Research Centre (CFRC). The CFRC will be a leading global research centre for feed processing research and commercialization and will be in operation in 2014. Recently construction of the $11 million Rayner Dairy Research and Teaching Facility was completed.

Consulting: I have advised on science and R&D for the biofuel industry and in the area of animal nutrition, feed development, and animal physiology. Presently I assist with the commercialization of a novel biomass biorefining process for the production of cellulose and other high value components from lignocellulosic biomass such as microcrystalline and nano crystalline cellulose.

Specialties: Research, education, strategic planning in academia and research, institutional development, animal nutrition and health, agriculture, biorefining, bioeconomy,