November 2024

Growing Ontario agri-food together: A collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph

Stories of the Alliance people, places and programs generating impact in the agri-food sector in Ontario and around the world. 

In this issue:

• Securing a safe, healthy Ontario food supply
• U of G agri-food experts appointed 
• Alliance researchers breeding the perfect wheat to resist major diseases
• Highlights from the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
• EXTENDED: U of G Office of Research photo contest
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

3 food safety programs

keeping Ontario's food supply safe and secure, thanks to the Agriculture and Food Laboratory

$4.2 billion

in economic activity generated annually by Ontario’s fruit and vegetable sector

$1.5 billion

generated annually by Ontario-grown fruit and vegetable exports 

L to R: Drs. Iris Joye, Wanhong Yang, Kate Parizeau, Kari Dunfield and Trevor DeVries 

The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance has appointed three new research program directors (RPDs), who join two University of Guelph faculty experts already in the role.  

These experts connect multidisciplinary U of G agri-food expertise with Alliance research programming to deliver solutions for Ontario’s farmers and drive economic growth within the agri-food sector.

Dr. Kari Dunfield will lead the Plants research area, Dr. Iris Joye will oversee Innovative Products, and Dr. Wanhong Yang will specialize in Soil, Water and the Environment. They will join Dr. Trevor DeVries, who returns to lead the Animals research area, and Dr. Kate Parizeau, who remains at the helm of Policy and Economy.

Dr. Helen Booker (third from right) spoke with federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay (third from left) and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness Rob Flack (centre) at the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Elora

The U of G wheat breeding program is a feat of industry and government collaboration to supply the world with healthy grains. 

Together with private and public partners and a team of professional staff, graduate and undergraduate students, Dr. Helen Booker breeds varieties for disease resistance but also for traits economically critical to farmers: high yield, optimal maturity time, height and structural strength.

In the news

University of Guelph researchers growing varieties of wheat more resistant to disease

New wheat varieties boost disease resistance for healthy crops

Winter wheat intrigues farmers

From November 1 to 10, the impact of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance was on display at the University of Guelph's Future of Food exhibit during the 102nd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

U of G returned to engage visitors with its innovative research, bringing an educational perspective to celebrating the best food, livestock and horsemanship in Canada.

Visitors learned about the ways U of G researchers are advancing vertical farming, climate resilience, biodiversity, soil health, food security, AI and technology and much more. 

“The University of Guelph is incredibly proud to be part of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the largest indoor agricultural event in the world,” says Dr. Rene Van Acker, U of G’s acting president and vice-chancellor. “We look forward to showcasing the inspiring work happening on campus, as well as our vision for the tech-filled future.” 

EXTENDED ONE WEEK ONLY: ENTER BY NOV. 15!

Show the world how University of Guelph research has real-world impacts and improves life. U of G faculty, staff, students and postdocs: submit a photo of your research for a chance to win one of five cash prizes.

The U of G Research in Focus photo contest is an opportunity for U of G faculty, staff, students and postdocs to share compelling research stories for a chance to win one of five cash prizes.

The best photo with an agricultural theme will win $750.

Submissions are open until November 15, 2024.

SAVE THE DATE: Annual Virtual Beef Symposium

January 30 and February 6, 2025, 7 - 9 p.m.

Mark your calendar for two evenings of engaging presentations and conversations on a variety of topics for both cow-calf and feedlot producers. Presented by Beef@Guelph.

A selection of Alliance people, places and programs cited in popular and trade media.

Six U of G researchers receive funding to study animal health and food safety (Nov. 5, U of G News)

Alliance researchers receive funding to develop sustainable agricultural solutions for Canada's poultry sector.

A collaborative path to agri-food innovation (October, Canadian Science Policy Centre)

U of G’s interim president and vice-chancellor Dr. Rene Van Acker writes that universities have a unique role in charting the course for a national agri-food innovation strategy, and that collaborating with industry and government—an approach exemplified by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance—creates an environment conducive to cutting-edge research and development.

COMMENTARY: Why is Canada falling behind in agriculture and food production? (Oct. 31, Globe and Mail; re-published on U of G News)

It will take focused effort to realize Canada’s potential as an agri-food superpower, but it is not an impossible dream according to Drs. Evan Fraser, Rene Van Acker and Lenore Newman. 

Paul Kelly recognized for induction into Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame (Oct. 23, Wellington Advertiser)

Kelly has managed the Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC) at the University of Guelph since 1987, which includes managing over 300 bee colonies across 13 apiaries as well as two isolated apiaries on islands in Lake Simcoe for breeding specific stock. 

Annual forages can extend the grazing season (Oct. 18, Canadian Cattlemen)

Alliance-funded researcher Dr. Kim Schneider discusses a two-year study incorporating annual forages into 48 acres of a perennial rotational grazing system at the Ontario Beef Research Centre.

Windsor-Essex first responders learn how to rescue large animals (Oct. 18, CTV News)

First responders learn how to rescue large animals thanks to a collaborative effort hosted by Equine Guelph and the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association.

Milking excellence: Ensuring dairy quality and safety in Ontario (Oct. 14, TVO Today)

Dr. Stephen LeBlanc, Director of Dairy at Guelph, clears up some common misconceptions about dairy quality and safety in Ontario.

Dairy beef changes dairy management, beef market (Oct. 11, Farmtario)

Dr. Michael Steele discusses the quickly evolving sector and his Alliance-funded research into optimizing crossbred calf performance, health and welfare.

What can make Ontario a livestock ag tech leader? (Oct. 9, Farmtario)

The University of Guelph and Elora Research Station are vital ingredients to make Ontario a world-leading centre for livestock technology innovation.

The fight against antibiotic resistance in the animal kingdom (Oct. 4, CBC's Fresh Air)

Dr. Scott Weese talks about antimicrobial resistance with CBC host Ismaila Alfa.

Social media posts used to predict avian flu outbreaks and spread (Oct. 3, Ontario Farmer)

Ontario Farmer spoke with Dr. Shayan Sharif and Dr. Rozita Dara about how their Alliance research results can help the poultry industry take rapid action.

Food inflation crisis may be over, but high prices are here to stay (Oct. 3, Financial Post)

U of G's Dr. Mike von Massow explains some of the complicated reasons food prices are staying up, from availability to foreign competition. 

Media round-up: U of G food safety prof provides expert opinion on Listeria to Ontario media

In light of recent Listeria outbreaks affecting plant-based milks, meat products and waffles, Dr. Lawrence Goodridge has been interviewed by CBC, CTV and City News.

Comments? Feedback? Events or content to include? Email kttadmin@uoguelph.ca.

This newsletter is produced by the University's Office of Research. The views expressed are the views of the University and do not necessarily reflect those of OMAFA. Questions regarding the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance can be addressed to omafrago@uoguelph.ca.