October 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:

• Celebrating the harvest with the Alliance
• U of G researchers: Call for Tier 1 proposals
• Skills for Research Impact workshop series
• Agri-food Data Canada releases latest data verification tool
• U of G Office of Research photo contest
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

20+ crop varieties, 7 livestock species

Supporting farm-tested innovations at research sites across Ontario

$270 million invested by partners

Over five years, researchers leverage Alliance funding to amplify results

550+ students per year

Training the next generation of agri-food innovators with hands-on learning

The Alliance Research Program funds research projects that support strong rural communities, help keep our food safe and develop a prosperous, environmentally sustainable agri-food sector in Ontario.

The single-stage call for proposals for project operating funding is open until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, with intent information due on Thursday, October 10.

Join us online this fall for one or multiple sessions from the Skills for Research Impact workshop series! 

Faculty, research staff and graduate students interested in enhancing the impact of their research will learn how to successfully plan, execute and evaluate knowledge mobilization (or knowledge translation and transfer) activities. Sessions will cover key topics relating to effective research communications and engagement of non-academic audiences, including policy, industry and community stakeholders.

For more information, contact us at kttadmin@uoguelph.ca.

Enhance your data management with Agri-food Data Canada's (ADC) latest data verification tool. This is a new feature recently released in ADC's Semantic Engine. 

Read the full blog post to learn more about how you can leverage this innovative new tool from ADC that saves researchers time, reduces errors and ensures data accuracy.

Only one month left to enter!

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 8, 2024.

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

Scientists explore alternatives to antibiotics and zinc oxide to address postweaning diarrhea (Sept. 23, Farms.com)

Alliance-funded researcher Dr. Vahab Farzan discusses potential alternatives to antibiotics and zinc oxide for protecting piglets during weaning.

New chipping varieties catch the eyes of producers (Sept. 16, Farmtario)

Vanessa Currie, a research technician in the U of G Department of Plant Agriculture, spoke about potato trials for "chipping" varieties at the August 21 potato research open house.

U of G researchers receive funding to study youth mental health, greenhouse gas reduction, brain cancer, more (Sept. 13, U of G News)

U of G researchers receive CFI grants to advance sustainable agri-food solutions.

New dry bean expert to lead research in plant breeding and computational biology (Sept. 9, Ontario Agricultural College)

Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi to lead research in plant breeding and computational biology with a focus on developing cultivars that provide significant benefits to farmers and growers.

Robots, research offer taste of farming's future in Holland Marsh (Sept. 6, BradfordToday.ca)

A U of G team, including Dr. Mary Ruth McDonald, is testing the usefulness of farm robots in Ontario's muck soil at the Ontario Crops Research Centre in Bradford.

World-renowned faculty honoured with Royal Society Fellowships (Sept. 3, U of G News)

A record number of University of Guelph faculty have been named Fellows of The Royal Society of Canada, including Alliance-funded researcher Dr. Manjusri Misra.

The problem solvers: Dr. Asim Biswas (September, Ontario Grain Farmers Magazine)

The Alliance-funded U of G researcher works to bring ballpark soil data to farmers for better on-farm decision-making. 

Utilizing yeast in sow diets to optimize piglet growth (September, National Hog Farmer)

U of G researchers discuss current research and what it means for producers.

Purple coneflower supplements in dairy calves improves immunity and reduces inflammation (September, Dairy at Guelph)

Alliance-funded research shows purple coneflower supplementation in Holstein calves led to indicators of better immunity and anti-inflammatory properties.

Alliance expert in the news: Dr. Mike von Massow (September)

The Canadian Press, Globe and Mail and CBC News the National consulted the Alliance-funded U of G food economist on Vancouver grain terminal strike.

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.