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OAC students reach the podium at Dairy Challenge Competition

Congratulations to UofG's Dairy Challenge team that competed in the 2026 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge this week in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Our team did an amazing job and did UofG proud with a second-place finish! 

matthew and julianna standing back to back

Starting a graduate program in OAC? Here are 4 reasons to connect with the OAC Graduate Student Council

Starting your graduate program is exciting but can also feel overwhelming. At the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), you’re not navigating that experience alone. Whether you're in a master's or doctoral program, OAC’s Graduate Student Council (OACGSC) is here to help you connect, grow, and make the most of your time as a graduate student. Run by students, for students, the OACGSC creates opportunities that go far beyond the classroom and lab.

Our Sympathies: John FitzGibbon

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) at the University of Guelph is saddened to share the passing of Professor Emeritus Dr. John FitzGibbon on April 12, 2026, at the age of 78.

Dr. FitzGibbon was a dedicated member of the University community for more than 40 years, serving as both a professor and the founding Director of the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD). In this role, he played a key part in establishing the school’s vision and strengthening its focus on environmental design and rural development.

a person wearing hi-vis operating a drone over a field

Could Drone Seeding Solve a Key Ontario Crop Rotation Challenge?

Collaborative effort to develop new technology brings in academic and private sector input. University of Guelph researchers are collaborating with Corteva Agrisciences and the University of Waterloo to evaluate the feasibility of using drones to broadcast winter wheat into standing soybeans, addressing a key Eastern Ontario challenge where optimal wheat seeding dates often conflict with soybean harvest timing.

pilot plant in the gfic

GFIC Partners with Index Biosystems on Sanitation Validation Technology

When Toronto-based bio-tech company Index Biosystems wanted to expand its BioTags® food safety technology to a new food product, they needed to validate the new use under real processing conditions—beyond the lab bench. 

Their next move? Partnering with the Guelph Food Innovation Centre (GFIC) at the University of Guelph. 

Our Sympathies: Christopher Magor

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) community mourns the passing of Christopher Magor (OAC '84 - BSAg, Animal & Poultry Science) who passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026.

Born in Darlington, England, he later made his home in Essex, where he became a familiar and friendly face in the community as the proud owner of Stationery and Stuff. Chris dedicated many years to the store before retiring in 2019.

The Legacy of Professor Emeritus Thomas Francis Funk

A Life in Agricultural Economics at the University of Guelph

Professor Emeritus Thomas Francis Funk passed away on March 29, 2026. He served as a cornerstone of the Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (FARE) at the University of Guelph for more than three decades, leaving a lasting legacy of academic excellence, professional leadership, and dedication to students.

Tom and Jane Funk, holding framed certificates

Our Sympathies: Tom Funk

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) community mourns the passing of Dr. Tom Funk, a respected educator and leader in agricultural marketing, who passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 82.

Funk dedicated more than 35 years to the University of Guelph, teaching agricultural marketing at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Known for his commitment to experiential learning, he helped bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, shaping the careers of students across the agri-food sector.

The 2025 Ontario Farmland Value and Rental Value Survey Marks a Decade of Enhancing Information Regarding Ontario's Ag. Sector

For more than a decade, Ontario farmers, policymakers, investors, and agricultural professionals have relied on the Ontario Farmland Value and Rental Value Survey for insights into farmland prices, rental rates, and market dynamics across the province. The lack of publicly available information on farmland rental rates was one of the primary drivers behind the first survey in 2016.  

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