A researcher from the University of Guelph has secured government funding to assist Canadian farmers in growing wheat more efficiently with fertilizer, while also enhancing soil health and the wheat microbiome.
Dr. Kari Dunfield
Dr. Kari Dunfield, a professor at the School of Environmental Sciences within the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), has been awarded $3,920,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Alliance Advantage program. The governments of Canada and Ontario, along with industry partners, have provided an additional $1,960,000 in funding and $143,695 in in-kind support.
“Collaboration between academia, industry and government is critical for developing innovative, sustainable solutions to complex agricultural challenges,” says Dr. Shayan Sharif, interim vice-president of research and innovation.
“We thank the federal government for supporting this collaboration through NSERC, along with government and industry partners. This will help Dr. Dunfield and her research team advance new methods to improve nitrogen efficiency and environmental sustainability in Canada’s wheat sector.”
Guelph MP Dominique O’Rourke stated: “This investment brings together the strengths of our researchers, producers, and industry partners to make one of Ontario’s most important crops more sustainable. Dr. Dunfield’s leadership will help farmers use nitrogen more efficiently, reduce environmental impacts and strengthen the sustainability of our agri-food sector. This is exactly the kind of collaborative innovation that keeps Ontario growers competitive while supporting a transition to a cleaner future for Canadian agriculture.”
Addressing Nitrogen Waste in Wheat Production
Nitrogen fertilizers are crucial for crop growth but can lead to significant environmental issues when overused as well as higher production costs.
Dunfield and her team plan to explore sustainable nitrogen management strategies by integrating agronomy with precision technology and wheat microbiome science. The research team includes Drs. Adrian Correndo, David Hooker and John Sulik from the Department of Plant Agriculture along with Dr. Claudia Wagner-Riddle from the School of Environmental Sciences.
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Dunfield’s research team will test sustainable nitrogen management strategies to improve wheat growth
Their objective is to enhance nitrogen efficiency through smarter fertilizer use while improving soil health without compromising grain quality for baking.
The focus will be on soft red winter wheat-a key ingredient in baked goods known for its low protein content, ease of milling and high flour yield. Multi-year field trials will assess nitrogen rates, timing, sources and protective measures while also looking into beneficial microbes that can naturally enhance nitrogen cycling and crop resilience.
This research will be conducted at both Ridgetown and Elora sites within the Ontario Crops Research Centre as well as various farm locations-maximizing existing trial value while ensuring findings are applicable to actual farming conditions.
Continuity And Collaboration Yield Real-World Impact
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Partnerships will ensure reliable data across the supply chain; developing solutions that are both scientifically sound and practical for farmers
Building on previous work done by Dunfield and Hooker at Ridgetown Campus, this project will also leverage insights gained from long-term trials backed by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance alongside an applied research project focused on soil microbiomes funded under Canada’s Sustainable Agricultural Partnership.
“Many trials measure yield greenhouse gases or soil microbes separately,” notes Dunfield. “What’s unique here is that we’re gathering all these measurements on identical plots simultaneously across multiple field sites. This allows us to analyze interactions scientifically rather than just noticing trends; it’s a much more thorough way to understand what truly drives sustainable wheat production.”
Dunfield emphasizes that having trustworthy integrated data forms a crucial foundation for turning those insights into practical improvements through meaningful collaboration.
“Our partners-from farmers to food industries-care about different aspects of wheat production. By working throughout the supply chain we can create solutions that are not only scientifically valid but also practical enough for farmers while enabling food companies to continue providing high-quality baking products people enjoy,” she explains.
Dunfield’s collaborators agree with her perspective.
“Mondelēz Canada has always been a committed partner within Canada’s agri-food sector; as one of Canada’s top ten food companies we prioritize sustainable baking practices,” says Lindsay Moore who heads research & development at Mondelēz Canada.
“Being major consumers of Ontario wheat means adopting regenerative agriculture practices helps cut greenhouse gas emissions improves soil health all whilst promoting viable farming solutions-we’re proud investors in this partnership which enhances Mondelēz Canada’s R& D collaborations with Canadian universities plus Grain Farmers of Ontario towards scalable solutions for our wheat sector.”
“Grain Farmers Of Ontario takes pride in investing resources into research yielding meaningful results benefiting our farmer-members,” states Paul Hoekstra vice-president strategic development at Grain Farmers Of Ontario “This initiative aims at advancing environmentally friendly techniques pertaining specifically towards soft red winter-wheat cultivation ensuring consistent high-grade grain delivery meeting customer expectations By fostering collaboration among researchers alongside relevant industry stakeholders we’re making certain innovations stay rooted firmly within real-world farming challenges focusing primarily upon outcomes vital toward member interests thus securing strength amidst future endeavors impacting Ontarios entire agricultural landscape.”
“The efforts being led by Dr. Dunfields Team ultimately provide farmers tangible tools enhancing their operations facilitating progressiveness throughout Ontarios Wheat Industry,” said Trevor Jones Minister For Agriculture Food And Agribusiness “Our Government stands firm backing Made-in-Ontario initiatives safeguarding independence regarding local food supplies”.
The Alliance Advantage grants promote cooperative partnerships linking university researchers alongside entities spanning private public not-for-profit sectors Projects supported via this funding streamline academic findings translating them effectively into actionable real-life implementations benefiting economy environment society overall.
The Ontario Crops Research Centre functions under Agricultural Research Innovation oversight managed by University Guelph partnering up closely under auspices associated directly relating back towards overarching goals found nestled inside larger framework known simply called Agri-Food Initiative whose mission lies fully dedicated towards progressive advancement needed revitalizing entire agricultural communities statewide ensuring lasting success stories emerge consistently time after time.
This particular study receives partial funding courtesy coming straight out Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP)-an extensive five-year federal provincial territorial effort launched recently aiming toward elevating standards established previously encountered addressing fundamental concerns arising particularly surrounding key areas impacting farmers today such practicing better stewardship around natural resources utilized during everyday activities done daily basis sustaining livelihoods achieved together united purposefully!
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