Over 30 research projects at the University of Guelph are advancing, utilizing the University’s top-notch expertise to drive agri-food innovation and enhance economic stability in Ontario.
The $6.92-million public funding comes from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a partnership between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph that promotes innovation and independence within Ontario’s agri-food industry.
This Alliance provides a strong, integrated platform that transforms homegrown innovations from research labs to farms while educating future leaders. Its ongoing success showcases a mutual commitment to maintaining a competitive, profitable, and resilient agri-food sector, supported by outstanding research at U of G, Canada’s leading institution for agriculture and forestry as well as veterinary sciences.
U of G researchers work closely with those in the province’s agri-food sector including members from Ohio Greenhouse Vegetable Growers testing out new technologies while bringing innovations directly back to growers processors.
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Canada’s Leading Institution in Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
In recent global educational rankings released by QS this year, U of G improved to fourth place (up from sixth) in veterinary sciences and climbed to 14th (from 30th) in agriculture and forestry – highlighting continued excellence in research quality and student employability. “As Canada’s top-ranked university for agriculture and forestry, as well as veterinary sciences, the University of Guelph is proud to collaborate with the province and industry partners to strengthen Ontario’s agri-food sector through research, innovation, and talent development,” says Dr. Rene Van Acker, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Guelph. “Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, we continue leveraging provincial investment alongside additional institutional support to deliver practical solutions that bolster resilience, productivity, and long-term growth across Ontario’s agri-food economy.” The investment aims to enhance protection against risks, promote productivity growth, and advance environmental stewardship as part of the government’s $47.5M commitment over seven years. “Today’s funding will assist Ontario farmers in maintaining their leadership in food production by providing safe and high-quality local food for our communities as well as international markets,” said Trevor Jones, minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, we’re making sure farmers have access to technologies that will help create a stronger competitive edge within our agri-food sector.”Dedicated Spaces Supporting Research
The Ontario Crops Research Centre – Bradford is owned by ARIO and managed by U of G through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Many funded projects will tap into a network of agri-food research centres managed by Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), an agency under the Government of Ontario overseen by U of G through this Alliance. “ARIO is happy to provide essential infrastructure where these research projects can evolve from ideas into practical applications,” says Nevin Mc Dougall, chair of ARIO’s board. “By backing facilities along with partnerships needed for innovation, we’re working towards ensuring that Ontario’s agri-food sector remains robustly competitive while being positioned for sustained growth.” The Alliance is dedicated to collaborating with the province’s agri-food community to test new technologies address challenges faced by growers, processors, and local communities. “Ongoing innovation along with applied research is vital for keeping Ontario’s greenhouse vegetable sector competitive globally while sustainably producing fresh local produce,” says Richard Lee, executive director at Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. “OGVG supports several projects backed through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance which highlights valuable cooperation among the University of Guelph government entitiesand industry aimed at delivering real-world solutions for growers enhancing long-term sustainability.”U of G researchers work closely with those in the province’s agri-food sector including members from Ohio Greenhouse Vegetable Growers testing out new technologies while bringing innovations directly back to growers processors.
This Year’s Projects Funded by The Alliance Include:
Developing prevention methods while identifying effective disinfection approaches for greenhouse pepper growers facing severe crop losses due unknown wilt disorders while exploring how various growing materials plus waste accumulation may impact these challenges – Dr. Thomas Graham at School Environmental Sciences within OAC Collaborating with Saugeen Ojibway Nation on restoration programs analyzing how availability food temperatures affect growth survival young Lake Whitefish – Dr. Joey Bernhardt Department Integrative Biology College Biological Science Creating advanced satellite machine-learning techniques mapping flooding potential wetlands agricultural lands – Dr. Ben De Vries College Social Applied Human Sciences Department Geography Environment Geomatics Encouraging economic growth evaluating scope nature interprovincial trade barriers estimating their economic costs Ontario’s agrifood sectors assessing extent which interprovincial agreements can aid reducing barriers boosting agrifood exports other provinces-Dr. Sylvanus Kwaku Afesorgbor Department Food Agricultural Resource Economics OAC Assisting farmers reducing expenses developing nutrition production management strategies pig farming – Dr. Terri O’Sullivan Dr. Anne Deckert Department Population Medicine Ontario Veterinary College(OVC) A full list showing awarded projects can be found on The Alliance website.Funding Applications Open In June
The Ontario Agri- Food Innovation Alliance supportsagriculture- foodresearchandinnovationprojects via annualcompetitiveprocess. Thisinvestment helpsachievegovernment ’s Grow Ontario Strategygoalsofincreasingagriculturefoodinnovationandadoptionbyworkingcloselywithindustrypartnersagribusinessesandresearchorganizations.Applicationsfor Alliance Project Operating Funding(Tier1)openin June.Impactof Allianceprojectsreflectyears sustainedeffortbyexceptionalfaculty staffandstudents , sharedcommitmentresearch excellence studentexperienceimpactrealworld. ” Nowmorethan ever , itiscriticalthat Ontariocontinuestoleveragehomegrownresearchtodrive realworldsolutionssupportouragriculturalfoodsector.” says Nolan Quinn , minister Colleges Universities Research Excellence Security. ” Throughthisinvestment , ourgovernmentensuring researchersacrossprovinceincluding University Guelphcancontinue groundbreakingdiscoverieskeeping Ontarioonthecutting-edgefarmingagriculturalfoodinnovation.”The Alliance reflectingcollaborationamongindustry academia government strengthens Ontario ’sagriculturalfoodsector todaywhilebuildingpreparednessprosperityfuture.Source link
