2020/21 Research Projects

Genetic dissection of the resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) using advanced functional genomic tools and developing Ontario-adapted SCN-Resistant Cultivars

Lead Applicant: Mehrzad (Milad) Eskandari

Research Priority: Plant Health & Protection

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: Ontario Crops Research Centre - Ridgetown

Research Summary: Developing new Ontario-adapted soybean varieties resistant to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and developing genetic-based tools to accelerate the development of SCN-resistant varieties.

 

Herbicide-resistant weeds in Ontario - surveys, mechanism of resistance, and development of integrated management strategies

Lead Applicant: Peter Sikkema

Research Priority: Plant Health & Protection

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: Developing integrated weed management strategies to address herbicide-resistant weeds in Ontario.

 

Depletion of Dexamethasone in cattle: Food safety study in dairy and beef cattle

Lead Applicant: Ron Johnson

Research Priority: Food Safety

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: Ontario Dairy Research Centre - Elora, Ontario Beef Research Centre - Elora  

Research Summary: Determining the length of time a Health-Canada-approved drug for dairy and beef cattle remains in their systems.

 

Heat storage and improved thermal management to reduce energy use and improve growing conditions in Ontario commercial-scale greenhouses

Lead Applicant: Syeda Tasnim

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: Understanding the energy and moisture conditions in Ontario greenhouses to improve costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and to extend production season.

 

Improved operational efficiency and enhanced farm management decision making for fruit tree and ornamental nurseries using automation and precision agriculture tools.

Lead Applicant: Medhat Moussa

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: Developing an automated system to collect tree growth information and creating a digital library system for Ontario's nursery industry.

 

Evaluation and potential augmentation of bovine fertility using small non-coding RNAs

Lead Applicant: Jonathan LaMarre

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: Determining the reliability of genetic and epigenetic markers in semen for improving dairy and beef cattle reproductive potential.

 

Development of evidence-based feeding strategies for lactating sows using novel and evolving feeding technologies.

Lead Applicant: Lee-Anne Huber

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: Arkell Swine Research Facility

A fundamentally new approach to determining soil N mineralization potential through pyrolysis-based thermal cracking.

Lead Applicant: Adam Gillespie

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: A fundamentally new approach to determining soil N mineralization potential through pyrolysis-based thermal cracking.

 

Hybridization of artificial intelligence and mechanistic models to create 'intelligent' precision nutrition models for next generation dairy production

Lead Applicant: Jennifer Ellis

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: Combining two scientific methodologies—artificial intelligence and mechanistic modelling—to optimize precision nutrition systems for dairy.

 

Optimization of pellet quality at the mill level using machine learning

Lead Applicant: Jennifer Ellis

Research Priority: Competitive Production Systems

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2020/2021

Research Centre: NA

Research Summary: Examining "big data" from local manufacturers to identify critical factors that influence feed pellet quality.