January 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:

• Alliance releases 2022/23 annual report
• ARIO chair and Alliance leader named to Order of Canada
• Knowledge mobilization funding available
• Skills for Research Impact workshop series returns
• Photo contest highlights agri-food research excellence at U of G
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance annual report is here!

Read the summary of our 2022/23 Consolidated Annual Report, Growing Ontario Solutions, to learn more about how the Alliance drives agri-food innovation and delivers positive impacts for Ontario's agri-food sector and rural communities. 

Congratulations to Dr. Lorne Hepworth, chair of the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO), for his appointment to the Order of Canada.

ARIO is part of the unique collaboration between the Government of Ontario and U of G, known as the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

Serving as ARIO chair since 2019, Hepworth has overseen significant infrastructure investments that leverage U of G expertise to fuel research and innovation for Ontario’s agri-food sector. 

The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance has an open call for project proposals focused on mobilizing knowledge and engaging partners in agri-food research.

Full proposals are due February 15, 2024. If you have questions, email kttadmin@uoguelph.ca.

Enhance the impact of your research with the winter 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.

Register using the following links:

TODAY! January 16: Planning for Research Impact

January 23: KTT Strategies and Dissemination

January 30: Clear Language Writing

February 6: Community Engagement

February 13: Evaluating KTT Activities

February 27: Data Visualization (in-person)

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

The winner of the Agri-Food in Focus prize is “Internship student” by Wissarut Sukhaket.

The winners have been announced in the 2023 Research in Focus photo contest hosted by the University of Guelph’s Office of Research.

The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance supported a special “Agri-Food in Focus” category, which received dozens of creative and high-quality submissions.

Thank you to all participants who captured the moments that demonstrate U of G’s commitment to agri-food research and innovation.

Congratulations to Wissarut Sukhaket, winner of the Agri-Food in Focus prize for “Internship student”.

Click on the links below to view the full-size photo and description of the research taking place.

“Agri-Food in Focus” category honourable mentions:

Congratulations to all the non-agri-food winners:



First place: Doing research in the highlands of Peru – Silvia Sarapura

Second place: Structuring food of the future – Louis Colaruotolo

Third place: Roadside diner – Mark Duchene

Community choice: Don't panic, it's organic – Alice Dabrowski and Jason Lemay

See all winners and honourable mentions here.

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

Engineered-Airlift pumps can help aquaculture systems to perform better (Dec. 25, Aquaculture Magazine)

Dr. Wael Ahmed, researcher in the U of G School of Engineering and Dr. Marcia Chiasson, manager of the Ontario Aquaculture Research Centre, present the results of an evaluation of Engineered-Airlift pumps. The pumps, called FloMov, were designed to help fish farmers reduce energy usage and improve the quality of the culture products for the aquaculture industry. The airlift pump was engineered and prototyped in U of G’s Multiphase Flow and Energy Lab with support from the Alliance Gryphon’s LAAIR program. 

Future of food, sustainable business top agenda at Arrell Food Summit (Dec. 12, Farmtario)

Industry leaders discussed climate solutions and the future of Canadian food at the Arrell Food Summit: Pathway to Change, hosted by the Arrell Food Institute in Toronto Nov. 14.

Increasing milk production in gilts (Dec. 11, Rural Voice Magazine)

U of G researcher Dr. Lee-Anne Huber discusses her project at the new Ontario Swine Research Centre.

Entries accepted to Ontario agriculture innovation pitch competition (Dec. 8, Farmtario)

Entries are now being accepted for the second annual Ontario Agri-Tech Pitch Competition. The event offers promising early-stage Ontario ag innovation start-ups the opportunity to pitch their innovations to a panel of judges, connect with potential investors and use coaching and mentorship services to hone their business strategies.

U of G ranked one of top research universities in Canada (Dec. 7, U of G News)

For the ninth straight year, U of G has claimed second spot among Canadian comprehensive universities in the 2023 Research Infosource Inc. ranking of Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities.

Taking a One Health approach (Dec 5, Farmtario)

A first-of-its-kind, multi-year study, a multidisciplinary research team from the University of Guelph hopes to find out if rotational grazing of cattle has benefits for the animals, soil, and human health.

U of G rises to top 10% globally in QS Sustainability Rankings (Dec. 5, U of G News)

U of G placed 139th out of 1,403 institutions, climbing more than 200 places in this year’s QS World University Rankings: Sustainability rankings.

Food security: Root causes and pathways to change (Nov. 29, CBC Ideas Podcast)

The discussion entitled, Food Security is National Security was recorded earlier this month during the 2023 Arrell Food Summit: Pathways to Change. 

Dairy dreams turn to world accolades for Heathcote researcher (Nov. 19, Collingwood Today)

HQP Scholar Hannah Woodhouse is interviewed about the path to dairy research and future plans in the industry after receiving a recent award.

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.