A collaboration between OMAFRA and the University of Guelph |
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Stories of the Alliance people, places and programs generating impact in the agri-food sector in Ontario and around the world. |
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In this issue:
- Plant breeding contributes to Ontario's summer bounty
- Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe
- Alliance people, places and programs in the media
- Upcoming events
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Enjoying the summer bounty? Thank a farmer and a U of G breeder! |
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Photo courtesy of Fox Seeds |
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Have you enjoyed Ontario asparagus or strawberries this season? |
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You may have been eating a crop variety developed and bred at the University of Guelph by researchers supported by Alliance funding. But, did you know that it can take decades to get that new variety in your hands?
Delivering new crop varieties takes time. Breeding new varieties, selecting for beneficial traits, and conducting variety trials can take up to 25 years and requires collaboration across industry, academia, and producer organizations. The final phase includes licensing the variety for commercial use.
Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) invests in breeding and genetics research to support Ontario’s agri-food sector. Long-term investment is essential to breeding programs.
Over the last 30 years, there has been a 50% increase in the productivity of major agricultural crops in Canada. Plant breeding has contributed significantly to these gains by delivering varieties with higher yields and improved agronomic traits, such as disease resistance and stress tolerance.
Explore four crop varieties developed at U of G that many of us enjoy every summer...
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3 new "Guelph" asparagus varieties released since 2000
U of G asparagus varieties now dominate the marketplace. In 2020 they accounted for more than 90% of Ontario asparagus patches.
Photo: Dr. David Wolyn, professor, Department of Plant Agriculture, U of G
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6 new peach varieties released by Dr. Jay Subramanian since 2003
The Vee Blush peach variety now accounts for 20% of the early market peaches grown in Ontario
Photo: Dr. Jay Subramanian, professor, Department of Plant Agriculture, U of G
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Day-neutral strawberries account for 20% of production in Ontario
U of G researcher Dr. Adam Dale tested these U.S.-bred varieties to select berries that would work in Ontario’s soils and climate and be “fruitful” for Ontario growers.
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The Yukon Gold potato was created at U of G and released in 1981
Yukon Gold was named one of the top five university-developed innovations from the past 100 years by the Council of Ontario Universities.
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When you bite into that juicy peach or campfire-roasted potato, take a moment to thank a farmer and a breeding and genetics researcher who possibly dedicated decades of work to bring Ontario's summer bounty to our tables. |
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Plant breeding at the Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe |
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Ontario’s network of agri-food research centres is a key platform for honing the next generation of field-tested innovations. This network offers plant breeders access to consistent, stable environments for the detailed work of breeding.
The Ontario Crops Research Centre in Simcoe is home to crops such as apples, asparagus, potatoes, peaches, cucumbers, cherries, hazelnuts, quinoa and more.
The diversity of crops highlights the possibilities of the centre's location in the Norfolk sand plain; a biodiversity hotspot in Canada with sandy loam soils that make it optimal for growing crops.
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“Without the research station availability and the Alliance funding, there would be no asparagus breeding program.”
—Dr. David Wolyn, professor, Department of Plant Agriculture, U of G
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The centre has been open since 1961, providing a long-term, stable space for plant breeding, and has a mission to help strengthen the fruit and vegetable industries in the potentially highly productive zone along the north shore of Lake Erie. |
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The Ontario Crops Research Centre - Simcoe is owned by the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, and operated and managed by the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance. |
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A selection of Alliance people, places and programs cited in popular and trade media. |
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Ajwal Dsouza, PhD student, and Dr. Thomas Graham, School of Environmental Sciences, at the University of Guelph discuss how agriculture has been improved significantly through the application of space-based advances to terrestrial challenges.
Alliance-funded researcher Praveen Saxena, professor of plant agriculture at the University of Guelph and director of the Gosling Institute for Plant Preservation, discusses fundamental aspects of plant development and using new tools like micropropagation to accelerate plant breeding and save species that are dying due to disease or climate challenges. He’s been working to introduce cold tolerance into Ontario hazelnut trees.
The mental health of farmers is worse than it was five years ago and worse than that of the general population in almost every way, finds a new survey from University of Guelph researchers.
Alliance-funded researcher Dr. Elijah Kiarie speaks to Canadian Poultry about new ways to make a bird’s digestive system stronger and faster – using a protein that is commonly found in milk.
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Ontario Bean Growers present: Research Day, Plot Tour & BBQ |
Wednesday, August 24, 1:00 - 7:00 pm
Huron Research Station
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Join the Ontario Bean Growers for their annual research day, plot tour and BBQ. The day begins with research presentations at 1pm. At 4pm, Dr. Peter Sikkema and Chris Gillard will lead a tour of the plots at the Huron Research Station and the day ends with a steak BBQ. |
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U of G Bean Breeding & Genetics Program Open House |
Thursday, August 25, 1:00pm
Ontario Crops Research Centre - Elora
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Join the team for lunch and an in-person tour of the U of G dry bean breeding and genetics research program.
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Make an Alliance Connection |
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