Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Collaboration a key theme of poultry research day

Connections and collaboration were a key theme during the Poultry Health Research Network (PHRN) Research Day at the University of Guelph last week.

The research day brought together representatives from government, industry and academia to provide updates on current research and prompt discussion for future collaborations.

“The whole intent was to ensure that our industry partners and our researchers, either from academia or the government agencies that work with us, have a chance to mingle and talk about their research needs and what we can do to address those research needs,” said Dr. Shayan Sharif, an immunologist in the Ontario Veterinary College’s Department of Pathobiology and leader of the PHRN.

The University of Guelph has had a long-standing commitment to innovation in animal health and production, with one of the largest groups of poultry scientists and poultry experts in North America. The Poultry Health Research Network has been steadily expanding since its inception in 2012 and now includes more than 60 members from across the UofG campus, as well as industry and government researchers. 

Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph, addressed the group during lunch, pointing out how important it is to work together to “share resources and specific expertise to solve global problems.”

Bringing everyone together in the room is where it needs to start, he added. “We’ve got researchers from the government here, we’ve got researchers from university, we’ve got industry and that’s really the chemistry we need to drive forward.”

Photo, from left: Dr. Malcolm Campbell, VP Research, University of Guelph; Lloyd Longfield, MP for Guelph; Dr. Jeff Wichtel, Dean, OVC; Dr. Wayne Caldwell, Interim Dean, Ontario Agricultural College; Dr. Shayan Sharif, OVC.

“Here at the University of Guelph we have an unprecedented and unique gathering of expertise in support of the poultry industry,” said OVC Dean Jeff Wichtel, in addressing the group. “It involves upwards of five of our seven colleges and spans the breadth from poultry welfare right through to vaccine development and molecular basis for immunity to disease.”

During the day, UofG researchers, including MSc, PhD students and post-doctoral researchers, outlined current research in a variety of areas, including poultry welfare, biosecurity, vaccine development, nutrition, and antimicrobial resistance. Afternoon presentations with industry representatives, including pharmaceutical, feed, genetics and equipment companies, and researchers provided a forum to explore areas of mutual interest for future collaborations.

Sharif recognized funding from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for part of the research day and also acknowledged the Poultry Industry Council, Canadian Poultry Research Council, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation and the Ontario Veterinary College for their ongoing support for PHRN’s work.

Follow PHRN on Twitter  @PHRN_

Follow OVC on Twitter @OntVetCollege

 

Views: 161

Comments are closed for this blog post

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Bayer introduces Vyconic soybeans in Canada

Vyconic soybeans is a new trait technology providing growers with tolerance to multiple herbicide active ingredients

Syngenta Canada celebrates International Women’s Day 2025

???????Syngenta Canada is celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 by reflecting upon our progress towards gender equality and by honouring some outstanding individuals. “We have a strong commitment to advancing women’s interests within the organization and the broader agricultural sector,” says Stacey Redford, Head of Human Resources. “Progressive initiatives and policies are in place to support women along their career journey, including a recent internal survey to identify career challenges and uncover growth opportunities.” Since 2019, the Canadian team has achieved significant progress, increasing female representation from 40% to 51% of its workforce, with women now comprising 45% of its Crop Protection Leadership Team, and 40% of the customer-facing teams. In honour of IWD 2025, the Syngenta Canada Women and Allies Network (SCWAN) nominated six individuals for their leadership, resilience, and inspiration. Congratulations to:

Ottawa Sets Aside Funding in Case of ASF Outbreak

The federal government has earmarked more than $567 million to aid domestic pork producers in the event of an outbreak of African Swine Fever. A statement Friday said the money will go toward supporting hog producers should there be a closure of key export markets for Canadian pork products and live pigs due to an ASF outbreak in either Canada or the US. While Canada remains free of ASF, a single detection of the disease in Canada would close export markets due to international trade regulations and import restrictions imposed by trading partners, the statement said. Canada is heavily dependent on pork and live pig exports, and the closure of key export markets would be devastating to the pork sector. It would also cause hog producers to incur extraordinary costs and force them to make difficult decisions about depopulating their herds, it added. “With this funding commitment, we’re making sure we support hog producers in the event of an outbreak, while we work to contain the vir

Map: February Brings Little Drought Relief for Ontario

Heavy snow in parts of Ontario in February has apparently done little to shrink current dryness and drought in the province. According to the latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor, 56% of the agricultural lands within the central region – which includes both Ontario and Quebec - were being impacted by abnormal dryness or drought as of the end of last month. That’s little changed from 55% at the end of January and 58% in December but remains well down from 87% in November. Precipitation during February varied significantly, with southern Ontario and southern Quebec receiving 60–150% of normal. Southern Ontario saw multiple storm systems bringing above normal precipitation, which contributed to some of the highest recorded snowpacks in Hamilton and Toronto, helping ease drought severity, the monitor said. Abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions were reduced across much of southern Ontario. However, pockets of moderate and severe drought remained, particularly

Canada expands air transport agreement with Senegal

Expanding Canada's international air transport agreements allows airlines to introduce more flight options, providing passengers and shippers with greater choice and convenience, while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses. Today, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, the Honourable Anita Anand, announced that Canada has recently expanded the Canada-Senegal Air Transport Agreement. The expanded agreement with Senegal includes: The right for airlines of either country to operate direct flights to any destination in the other country's territory. A capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the airlines of each country. Significant operating flexibility for all-cargo services. Airlines can begin offering services under this new agreement immediately. Quotes "By allowing direct flights between our two countries, this agreement will significantly strengthen our bilateral relations with Senegal. It paves the way to new oppor

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service