Growing Ontario Solutions 2023/24
Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance Annual Report
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance brings together the University of Guelph, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario to deliver solutions for Ontario's agri-food sector and rural communities, contributing $1.44 billion to Ontario's GDP.
By combining U of G expertise with strategic, long-term investment from the Government of Ontario, the Alliance advances world-class research, innovation, training and laboratory capacity while charting a vibrant, sustainable path for the future of Ontario agri-food.
- $72 million
- invested by the Government of Ontario
- $135 million
- leveraged and invested by U of G
- 187% returned
- by U of G on every dollar invested by the Government of Ontario
Working together to grow Ontario
Each year, the important work undertaken through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance strengthens the contribution our province’s agri-food industry makes to our economy.
Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
The agri-food sector is evolving rapidly, and collaboration is our key to transforming change into opportunities for our provincial agri-food sector and communities.
Dr. Rene Van Acker, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Guelph
Innovation, research, training, building networks and capacity – all of these are vital elements to ensuring our food producers and businesses remain competitive, reliable and able to meet unexpected challenges that we may encounter.
Ontario’s agri-food industry stands out for its world-class research, skilled and hard workers, excellence and resiliency. Through the continued work of this Alliance, we plan to keep it that way.
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is a fruitful, longstanding collaboration that matches University of Guelph leadership in agriculture, food and veterinary sciences with Government of Ontario investment to drive innovation and economic growth for farmers and agri-food businesses across the province.
The Alliance is the cornerstone of Ontario’s agri-food research, training and innovation ecosystem. U of G is proud to work closely with government, industry and academic partners to ensure we can meet industry challenges head-on and help businesses stay competitive, as we train the next generation to do the same.
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance represents a century and a half of proven results and impact. Together, we will build on this history to grow a skilled agri-food workforce, deliver solutions for farmers and help agribusinesses succeed, shaping a sustainable and resilient future for Ontario.
Delivering for Ontario agri-food
Explore the four key benefits delivered through the people, places and programs of the Alliance in 2023/24.
- $1.2 million
- in commercialization revenue generated from licences associated with Alliance-funded research
- 22 new patents
- issued for Alliance-delivered innovations
- 14 new licences
- for Alliance-funded research, including new crop varieties like dry beans for domestic consumption and international export
Strengthening the agri-food economy
Agriculture is a multi-faceted industry that encompasses food, fuel and fibre, delivering diverse products and choices that Ontarians enjoy in their everyday lives.
This vibrant sector contributes over $51 billion to Ontario’s GDP and employs one in nine workers.
Empowering farmers and agri-food businesses is crucial to maintaining a strong sector capable of competing in an international marketplace while maintaining standards and delivering high-quality products.
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance provides Ontario's farmers and agri-food business leaders with the research and tools they need to protect and grow their businesses and secure new market opportunities.
Protecting access to pork export markets
Ontario farmers export more than $300 million in live animals each year, including more than $100 million in pigs. This international export market requires lab testing that responds quickly to business needs.
The Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph is the provincial leader for disease monitoring and testing, thanks to the lab’s cutting-edge services and quick turnaround times. This surveillance capacity and ability to scale-up testing are essential to protecting the province from disease emergencies and keeping markets open.
- 577 students
- involved in research projects, gaining job-ready skills to become the next generation of agri-food innovators
- 495 veterinary students
- trained in One Health and food animal care
- 7,400 farmers
- and members of the agriculture community trained on safe pesticide use, manure application and field drainage
Growing a skilled agri-food workforce
People are at the heart of Ontario’s agri-food sector.
As Ontario faces an anticipated 100,000 job vacancies in the agri-food industry by 2030, the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is stepping up to meet this challenge.
The Alliance equips students with hands-on experience, cutting-edge research skills and practical industry knowledge, ensuring they are ready to lead in a rapidly changing sector.
Attracting new talent to agri-food
Sarah Hill didn’t grow up on a farm. But today, thanks to the opportunities provided by the Alliance, Sarah is immersed in the world of swine production.
- $69.5 million invested
- by partners in agri-food research
- 74 new projects
- poised to deliver solutions for Ontario’s agri-food and rural sectors
- 164 partners
- working with U of G researchers on new projects, delivering solutions tailored to Ontario
Innovating for Ontario's farmers
Sustainability and innovation are two words synonymous with today’s farmers, agri-food businesses and rural leaders.
They are constantly striving to meet the challenges of growing more food, fuel and fibre on less land with a reduced environmental footprint. They are also continuously looking at ways to embrace innovation to stay ahead of the competitive curve and make the Ontario agri-food sector one of the best in the world.
The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is their partner in this journey, working with farmers, agri-food businesses and communities to deliver world-class research and innovation that drive sustainable solutions from farm to fork.
More milk with a smaller carbon footprint
When researchers want to test new technologies or practices on-farm without exposing producers to unnecessary risk, disruption or cost, they turn to Ontario’s agile network of agri-food research centres. The Ontario Dairy Research Centre has played a key role in developing solutions for Ontario farmers, from the now-commercialized High Immune Response technology to breeding cattle that burp out less methane.
- 738,000 tests
- at the Animal Health Laboratory monitor diseases and deliver answers for farmers and veterinarians
- 99.99% compliance
- with turnaround times in the food safety program means businesses have quick answers to food safety questions
- 3 food safety programs
- help keep Ontario’s food supply safe and secure, thanks to the Agriculture and Food Laboratory
Securing a safe, healthy, Ontario food supply
Ontario grows some of the best vegetables, grains and proteins in the world. With a growing population, the demands for a secure and nutritious food supply have never been greater.
The people, places and programs of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance work to deliver plentiful, safe, healthy food for Ontarians, and sought-after agri-food products for domestic and international trade.
From on-farm innovations to world-class laboratory testing, the Alliance helps safeguard Ontario’s food security, keeps supply chains resilient and offers the peace of mind that comes with knowing our food is safe.
From breeding to bread: How long-term investments in research give the world healthy grains
The majority of Canadian winter wheat is grown in Ontario. U of G researcher Dr. Helen Booker is tasked with helping the province’s growers stay one step ahead of diseases that threaten the harvest. Booker’s wheat breeding program is an example of innovation that takes time. Its success is made possible by long-term industry and government collaboration, and the Elora and Ridgetown sites of the Ontario Crops Research Centre.
Growing Ontario Solutions 2023/24
This publication is a summary of the Consolidated Annual Report of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph.
Growing Ontario Solutions and the Consolidated Annual Report are produced by the University of Guelph’s Office of Research.
More information on the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, including the complete Consolidated Annual Report, is available on the Alliance website.
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