May 2024

A collaboration between OMAFRA 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:

• Studying diet-gut links in Ontario farmed fish leads to improved feed, healthier animals
• Ontario Agricultural College celebrates 150th anniversary
• U of G Office of Research photo contest returns
• Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) funding available
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

Dr. David Huyben (left) and his team of undergraduate and graduate students attended the Ontario Aquaculture Association conference (March 2023) in Orillia, Ont.

L to R: Huyben, M.Sc. student Junyu Zhang, M.Sc. student Rebecca Lawson, M.Sc. student Maddie Borland, B.Sc. student Sam Bezner, M.Sc. student Carmi Riesenbach and M.Sc. student Cody Anderson.

Ontario fish farmers produce enough seafood every year to put more than 100 million meals on consumers’ plates, but it is not enough to keep up with the rising demand. 

Dr. David Huyben, a researcher in U of G’s Department of Animal Biosciences, aims to bolster the growth and resilience of the Ontario aquaculture industry by helping farmers get the most out of their feed. 

Read about how his Alliance-funded research is growing lake whitefish production and exploring sustainable insect meal as feed for rainbow trout.

Congratulations to U of G’s Ontario Agricultural College on a century and a half of innovation! 

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), one of the University of Guelph’s three founding colleges, first opened its doors in May 1874. 

Originally named the Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm, OAC changed its name in 1880 to better reflect its purpose and ambitions.

Amidst a world transforming through rapid scientific discoveries, the Ontario government intended the college to secure its place on the world stage. In 1874, it was one of the first schools in Canada to integrate scientific research into farming practices, helping to modernize agriculture across the country. 

This commitment continues today as the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the collaboration between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and U of G. Through the Alliance, the province invests in research and innovation that contribute to the success of the province’s agri-food sector and promotes rural economic development.

From May until the end of the year, the OAC will celebrate its 150-year history with a range of events, projects and activities that reflect its achievements and vision for the future.

Read more about the milestones along the way and OAC innovations throughout history.

150 years of making Canada an agri-food powerhouse

University of Guelph celebrates 150 years of agricultural innovation

Today marks the kickoff for celebrations for the 150th anniversary

The U of G Research in Focus photo contest is an opportunity for faculty and staff, as well as graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Guelph to showcase pictures of their research.  

The contest is aimed at providing a way to share compelling research stories. 

All University of Guelph faculty, staff, students and postdocs are eligible to submit photos for this contest.

As part of the KTT Funding Program, the KTT Initiatives grant provides one-time financial support of up to $5,000 for a product or strategy that translates and transfers research that benefits Ontario’s agri-food sector or rural or Indigenous communities.

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

International dairy science collaboration paves the way for tomorrow’s resilient dairy herds (May 2, Farms.com)

U of G researcher Dr. Christine Baes discusses the international initiative, The Resilient Dairy Genome Project.

Will plastics ‘doom’ the planet? U of G plastic researchers reflect on Earth Day (Apr. 22, U of G News)

Alliance-funded experts weigh in with potential solutions and guidance for reducing plastic pollution.

New thinking on health of transition cows (Apr. 17, Farmtario)

Dr. Stephen LeBlanc, director at U of G's Dairy at Guelph, discusses the effect of transition period illnesses on cows at the Progressive Dairy Operators triennial symposium in Toronto.

Creating a more environmentally sustainable agriculture and food system (Apr. 11, U of G OAC)

Ontario Agricultural College researchers are creating a more environmentally sustainable agriculture and food system, including Alliance-funded researcher Dr. Christine Baes.

Securing smart farms against cyber threats (Apr. 11, U of G Food from Thought)

A case study of research by Dr. Ali Dehghantanha. With Alliance support, Dehghantanha developed and implemented cyber-threat monitoring systems that continuously scan Smart Farm systems to identify and prevent attacks. 

Recap of the 2024 winter dairy travel course (Apr. 4, Country Folks)

Forty-eight animal science students and faculty from the universities of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island gathered for the annual winter dairy travel course in January 2024, which included a visit to the Ontario Dairy Research Centre and Ontario Beef Research Centre in Elora.

Bird flu risks: What to know as the ‘versatile’ virus continues to spread (Apr. 2, Global News)

Dr. Shayan Sharif, Interim Associate Vice-President Research (Agri-Food Partnership) at U of G, discusses avian influenza with Global News. 

U of G soil scientist wins 2023 Steacie Prize (Apr. 2, U of G News)

The Alliance-funded soil scientist and professor in U of G's School of Environmental Sciences within the Ontario Agricultural College was selected from 32 nominations. The Prize is awarded to a young scientist or engineer who has made notable contributions to research in Canada.

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 OMAFRA. Questions regarding the OMAFRA-University of Guelph Agreement can be addressed to omafrago@uoguelph.ca.