Research

Showcasing the success of Partnership programs and research

Data science: protecting water on agricultural land

In this research funded in part by the Alliance, Dr. Wanhong Yang, Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics at the University of Guelph, created a GIS modelling tool that addresses the complexity of a typical watershed evaluation for beneficial management practices (BMPs), along with a user-friendly system developed for creating BMP scenarios and evaluating their effects and outcomes. 

U of G researchers investigate the effects of postpartum health on estrus detection by activity monitors

Like people using fitness trackers, more and more dairy farmers are using automated activity monitors as an important part of herd reproductive management. Dr. Stephen LeBlanc, a professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, and PhD candidate and Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) doctoral scholar Tony Bruinjé studied more than 1,300 cows in two commercial dairy herds to investigate the link between a cow’s post-partum health and the likelihood of detecting estrus by activity monitors for first breeding.

Landscape image of crop plot that form green squares over a brown soil background, looking like a checkerboard

U of G research group addressing challenges for farmers in Northern and Eastern Ontario

Conducting agronomic research to help farmers in Northern and Eastern Ontario is the goal of a new University of Guelph research group.

Dr. Joshua Nasielski, a professor in the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) who joined U of G in 2019, started the Northern and Eastern Ontario Agronomy Research Group (NEO-AG) to address challenges faced by farmers in disparate parts of the province.

Pain can be reduced during calf disbudding: U of G researchers

In a study of calves at the Ontario Dairy Research Centre, Dr. Charlotte Winder and PhD candidate Cassandra Reedman, both in the Department of Population Medicine, found that administering local anesthesia with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) pain relievers is the most beneficial combination to reduce pain caused by caustic paste disbudding in young calves.

Read the Farmtario story.

A computer screen showing graphs of generic data

Artificial intelligence offers a tool to predict and control outbreaks of avian influenza

Protecting human and poultry health is the goal of University of Guelph researchers developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system to predict early outbreaks of avian influenza.

Dr. Rozita Dara, a professor in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, is working with Dr. Shayan Sharif and Dr. Zvonimir Poljak, professors in the Ontario Veterinary College, and postdoctoral scholar Samira Yousefinaghani to build a surveillance system that can predict the occurrence of avian influenza in a region.

A woman walks away from the camera along a rural path with her hands on her head

U of G researchers aim to inform post-COVID rural policy

A University of Guelph study of COVID-19 in small and rural communities emphasizes that government policy needs to include the pandemic experiences of those communities.

Dr. Leith Deacon, a professor in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) at the Ontario Agricultural College, conducted a large-scale quantitative survey in nine Ontario counties. He and his team examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted those living in small and rural communities to help governments develop more informed policy.

Yeast Shows Promise as a Feed Additive for Beef Cattle

Melissa Williams, a U of G animal biosciences doctoral candidate, is investigating yeast as a substitute for antimicrobial use in feed for beef cattle. Her results suggest that yeast has the potential for similar average daily weight gain in beef cattle as traditional additives.

Read the whole story about this research, which is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance.

News Archive