News

Dr. Ryan Prosser, professor in the School of Environmental Sciences in the Ontario Agricultural College at U of G, wants to know if applying biosolids on crop land increases the concentrations of PFAS (also known as "forever chemicals") in the harvested crop. In a project funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, Prosser is collaborating with the University of Toronto, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, various municipalities and industry members throughout Ontario.

U of G's Food from Thought program summarizes the importance of innovation in infrastructure to support research, streamline ever-growing volumes of data and test ideas under real-world conditions. Read how research centres owned by Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), an agency of the Government of Ontario, enable U of G reserachers to study crops, soil, livestock, animals welfare and climate resilience.

Researchers Dr. Gabriel Ribeiro (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Katharine Wood (University of Guelph) and PhD student Kathryn Kroeze (U of G) look at grazing management strategies that can influence pasture forage quality and, ultimately, cattle performance. In particular, they look at the differences between continuous and rotational grazing and highlight some preliminary findings from ongoing research, which is funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance and Beef Cattle Research Council.

U of G PhD candidate Riley McConachie is helping farmers protect one of Canada's most important crops using artificial intelligence.

In an op-ed celebrating Food Day Canada, Dr. Rebecca Hallett, associate vice-president research (agri-food partnership) at the University of Guelph, talks about how U of G researchers are leading the way with public plant breeding programs.

Plant breeding for local growing conditions, in addition to disease resistance and higher yields, is an important and hidden part of the food system behind every meal.

In May 2003 a cow in northern Alberta tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), leading 40 countries to restrict imports of Canadian beef cattle and meat. From 2002 to 2003, cattle and calf farm cash receipts dropped by 33 per cent: a loss of $2.5 billion.

A resilient Ontario livestock sector is one in which producers can adapt to disruptions like market shifts or disease outbreaks, producing healthy animals and accessing markets for their sale. Find out how the Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN) plays a pivotal role in preparedness, early detection and response. Read the story: Building a Resilient Livestock Sector: Role of the OAHN.

Each year, roughly 7,000 farmers, consultants and contractors step into physical and virtual classrooms to learn how to responsibly manage nutrients like manure, apply pesticides safely and protect the land they depend on. It’s part of an essential system of regulatory training programs delivered through the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus with funding from the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and U of G.

Speaking to CBC News and CTV News, Dr.

Canada’s food system is one of our country’s strengths, but success depends on the capacity to develop talent, advance innovation and convene partners.

Read the article on U of G News, republished from Innovating Canada. Read the original article here.