Summer 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:

• Renovated pasture enables grazing and environmental research
• Research in Focus: photo contest & photography workshops
• NSERC president tours the Ontario Beef Research Centre
• Lower-burp cows to be bred with world-leading methods based on U of G research
• READ: Long-term Alliance investments support dairy calf welfare
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

Cattle are not the only ones enjoying the benefits of the Ontario Beef Research Centre’s greener pastures. That’s because the renewed and expanded 121-hectare perennial pastures just outside Elora provide more than a bovine buffet—their unique design makes them living laboratories, enabling research that aims to help beef producers lower the cost of production, safeguard the environment and increase profitability.

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. 

U of G researchers leverage OMAFRA support through NSERC grants

NSERC Alliance grants support collaborative research projects between researchers and partner organizations from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

As internationally recognized experts, U of G researchers attract funding from a variety of provincial, national and private-sector partners to advance their agri-food and rural research projects.

The first national genetic evaluation in the world to help select low-methane dairy cows is based on University of Guelph research, with funding from the Alliance and partners across Canada, and data collection at the Ontario Dairy Research Centre.

Dr. Christine Baes

Dr. Todd Duffield, chair of the Department of Population Medicine at U of G, has spent 20 years researching how to manage pain in young dairy calves, thanks in part to long-term funding from the Alliance.

Much of his work has focused on the practice of disbudding, or the removal of horn buds on young calves. It’s a practice recommended by the Canadian Dairy Code of Practice to protect the safety of the cow, pen mates and farm staff.

Along with colleague Dr. Charlotte Winder, Duffield developed an online training module for producers and veterinary students on administering a nerve block during disbudding. The knowledge transfer materials were developed with Alliance funding and support from Saputo and Dairy Farmers of Ontario. 

Alliance-funded research has made significant contributions to global knowledge of pain responses and management in calves. The Alliance funding successfully leveraged additional industry sector investments thanks to researcher networks and the reputation and expertise of the University of Guelph. These long-term collaborations speak to the importance of research and innovation to advance shared goals for a sustainable and well-managed sector. 

Reimagine your research: Photography Workshop

Monday, June 26, U of G Arboretum (workshop #1)

Tuesday, July 4, Ontario Dairy Research Centre (workshop #2)

Join us to develop new skills to tell your research story using engaging photos.

Participants will explore the following:

• how to see and frame compositions to create interest in their images;
• how to use light, focus, and exposure to their advantage; and
• how to get the most out of your "camera".

Agri-Food Research Data Workshop

Wednesday, June 28, In-Person and Online

During the last workshop of this series, participants will learn more about the AllInOne Pre-processing R-Shiny user interface package. AllInOne Pre-processing streamlines the preprocessing of phenotypic data, enabling R users to swiftly and accurately ready their data for further analyses.

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

Tired of being disappointed by store-bought strawberries? Here’s how to find the sweetest ones (June 13, Toronto Star)

Alliance-funded researcher Adam Dale, a professor emeritus of plant agriculture and berry breeding at U of G, and John Zandstra, a professor in fruit and vegetable cropping systems at U of G, share expert strawberry knowledge with the Toronto Star.

Senators dig into soil at the grassroots level (May 15, Farmtario)

Agriculture and Forestry Senate Committee completed a three-day fact-finding tour of farms, agriculture businesses, and Ontario's agri-food research centres.

New Arrell Family Chair at U of G to focus on ‘people side’ of agri-economics (May 15, U of G News)

A new $1-million research chair in an emerging field at the University of Guelph is intended to make agri-food production more efficient and ensure sustainable food production in Canada and around the world.

Award-winning idea aims to produce healthy sugar substitute for diabetics (May 4, CBC)

Biofect Innovations won the Agri-Tech Pitch Competition in Guelph this year. The company has found a way to turn things like lactose, starch and glycerol into a protein-based sweetener called brazzein, which is a couple of thousand times sweeter than sugar, and they say it's healthier too.

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.