The University of Manitoba's new National Centre for Livestock and the Environment (NCLE) kicked off a $9 million fundraising campaign yesterday at its location at the Glenlea Research Centre just south of the city.

Hytek Ltd., a Manitoba hog producers that is part of the Olywest consortium planning the Transcona plant, as well as other Manitoba hog producers like Puratone Corp., Maple Leaf Foods and a group of Hutterite colonies also made sizable donations.

Karl Kynoch, chairman of Manitoba Pork Council said as the industry grows in Manitoba producers are well aware of the need to have access to the best science available.