September 2023

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:

• Ontario opens state-of-the-art swine research centre
• Ontario investing in aquaculture research and development
• Alliance Tier 1 research program call for proposals
• Province invests $8 million in U of G research
• People of the Alliance: Dr. Wayne Caldwell
• Research in Focus: photo contest
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

Andy Lennox, mayor, Township of Wellington North; Dr. Rene Van Acker, U of G interim vice president (research); Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; John de Bruyn, chair, Ontario Pork; MPP Rob Flack, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Lorne Hepworth, chair, Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario; Gwen Chapman, U of G provost and vice-president (academic); MP Lloyd Longfield; Dave Vandenberg, manager, Ontario Swine Research Centre

A new $20-million Ontario Swine Research Centre opened on August 24 that will enhance the province’s capacity for research, innovation and the development of new technology to benefit Ontario pork producers and consumers.

The new facility results from a collaborative investment from the Government of Ontario, the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) and Ontario’s pork industry, and is the newest addition to the provincial network of research centres owned by ARIO and managed by the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance. 

The new centre will accommodate research in diverse disciplines, including nutrition, animal health and welfare, production economics, consumer-oriented research, environmental factors, genetics/genomics, nutrient management and reproduction. 

Arlen Taylor, director, Ontario Aquaculture Association; Susan Cole, president, OAA; Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Marcia Chiasson, manager, Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre; Dr. Malcolm Campbell, U of G vice president (research); RJ Taylor, director, OAA

A cutting-edge quarantine, isolation and recirculation facility opened in July at the Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre in Alma, thanks to a $4.5-million investment from the Government of Ontario through the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, and with support from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

The new facility will allow for the safe importation of fish to support breeding research that will produce strong genetics for the Ontario aquaculture industry.

Supporting food security in Northern Ontario First Nations, making biocomposite parts for electric vehicles and using robotics for weeding vegetable crops are among nearly 50 University of Guelph agri-food research projects to receive over $8 million in new funding from the Ontario government.  

The funding is intended to develop U of G innovations that support industry and make a difference to Ontario farmers and consumers. 

For 2023, 47 research projects that enhance plant health and protection, protect animal health and welfare, drive economic development and promote environmental sustainability will be funded through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the unique collaboration between the University of Guelph and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). 

Despite retiring from his academic position, University of Guelph professor Dr. Wayne Caldwell continues his decades-long work to support rural Ontario and the people who depend on it.

“My research is about the betterment of rural communities and exploring what we do from a community and economic development perspective that contributes to an enhanced quality of life in rural communities,” says Caldwell. 

Since 1999, Caldwell, a planning professional, has harnessed Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance funding for 30 projects that develop and deliver innovative, prosperous and healthy solutions for the agri-food sector. He has used Alliance support to conduct primary research, build effective industry collaborations and shape policies and programs that are making real, long-term improvements in rural Ontario.

The U of G Research in Focus photo contest is an opportunity for U of G faculty, staff and students to showcase their research through photography.

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

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

Sowing the seeds of Indigenous food sovereignty in the North (Aug. 31, Northern Ontario Business)

U of G researcher Dr. Silvia Sarapura, an assistant professor in the school of environmental design and rural development, speaks about her special initiative project funded through the Alliance.

Oxford’s diversion pilot stretches the repurpose potential for farm plastic waste (Aug. 16, Farmtario)

U of G researchers Dr. Erica Pensini, in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and Alejandro Marangoni, in the Ontario Agricultural College, are working on a biodegradable plant-based hay wrap alternative. 

U of G study finds better cattle housing can help heal hock injuries (July 31, U of G Office of Research)

Led by PhD student Amanda Armstrong and Dr. David Kelton, a professor in the Ontario Veterinary College, the team set out to better understand the relationship between hock and knee injuries and lameness in dairy cattle. They wanted to know what causes these injuries and how they can be resolved.

University of Guelph launches community approach to agricultural innovation (July 24, Farmtario)

The University of Guelph’s Research Innovation Office (RIO) is supporting research through a new approach to innovation.

U of G’s Animal Health Laboratory launches interactive animal pathogen dashboards for livestock health monitoring (July 10, Food from Thought)

In a giant leap forward for the livestock industry, the Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) at the University of Guelph introduces the Ontario Interactive Animal Pathogen Dashboards (IAPD), providing real-time analysis and reporting on livestock pathogens.

‘Bite-size and easily digestible’: U of G experts develop user-friendly food safety toolbox (July 5, U of G News)

A team of University of Guelph researchers led by Dr. Keith Warriner, a professor in the Department of Food Science in the Ontario Agricultural College, helped to develop a global web-based food safety toolbox. The toolbox was launched in June by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Dairy at Guelph launches podcast (June 27, Dairy at Guelph)

Join Guilherme Madureira as he speaks with Dairy at Guelph faculty on the latest research – everything from dairy calf nutrition and management to designing breeding strategies for long-term and sustainable genetic improvement. New episodes are available each month on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

U of G researchers find effective way to treat ketosis in dairy cows (June 23, U of G Office of Research)

An Alliance-funded University of Guelph study has found that reducing cow milking frequency can help treat ketosis, a common metabolic disorder that occurs within two weeks of delivering a calf. 

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.