Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Research event highlights ongoing dairy research

A recent dairy research event at the University of Guelph provided research updates to Dairy Farmers of Ontario board members and staff, as well as local dairy producers and industry partners.

“It is highly important and rewarding to share research results with the end users, such as dairy producers and dairy advisors,” says Dr. Todd Duffield, a professor in the Population Medicine Department at the Ontario Veterinary College. “If our dairy research results are to be adopted and truly utilized and applied in the field, they need to be shared with the dairy producers and dairy advisors of the province. The Dairy Research Communication and Extension event is an excellent forum to highlight our broad dairy research program to the Dairy Farmers of Ontario board members, executive and producer committee members.”

The day-long event highlighted ongoing UofG research in dairy food science, economics, production and health management, including: impact of environment and management on somatic cells counts; diagnostic accuracy of on-farm methods for detection of ketosis in dairy cattle; survey of management of reproduction on Canadian dairy farms; the effect of prepartum housing on metabolic and reproductive health in dairy cows; and incidence of hoof lesions in dairy cattle classified as high, average or low immune responders.

The research day wrapped up with Charlie Arnot, Center for Food Integrity, speaking about “Values Trust and Science - Building Trust in an Age of Radical Transparency.”

“The dairy industry in Ontario has been highly supportive of dairy research programs at the University of Guelph and this event is an opportunity to showcase the fruits of their support,” adds Duffield. The annual event as it exists now was first started in 2004 by Dr. Ken Leslie.

The dairy farmer organization funds the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) Chair in Dairy Cattle Health at the Ontario Veterinary College, as well as the DFO Professorship in Dairy Microbiology in the Ontario Agricultural College’s Department of Food Science. DFO has also contributed significantly to the new state-of-the-art Dairy Innovation Centre currently under construction adjacent to the Elora Research Station.

 

Views: 112

Comments are closed for this blog post

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

Optimism high as Premier Moe and Prime Minister Carney talk trade with Chinese officials

With Premier Scott Moe in China with Prime Minister Mark Carney over the next few days, Provincial Agriculture Minister David Marit told reporters Tuesday morning his optimism for the tariffs on canola and other agri-food products is high. "I would have to think, for the Prime Minister to be going, that they probably think that there's some end to this, and I would hope that there would be," Marit said at the Western Development Museum following an announcement of ADF funding allocated to 39 crop research projects.  "I'm sure our Premier's going to be having the full discussion about the canola tariffs and the tariffs and the pea tariffs that we're having as important for the food supply chain and everything, and the impact it's having, not only here to the producers, but for the food that they do also need in China." When asked by Kevin Hursh, Chief Agricultural Editor of SaskAgToday.com, if it is reasonable to be optimistic unless Canada can make movement on tariffs on Chinese ele

Cargill on track to start-up canola crush facility this spring

Cargill's canola crush facility in Regina is expected to be operational this spring. The project started in 2022 and was originally set to open last fall but was delayed due to construction challenges and economic factors. Christopher Kuntz, a grain marketing advisor for Cargill's Davidson and Clavet locations, says it's a good feeling to finally have the facility come online. "I know we've been talking about this piece of infrastructure being built for well since like 2018, 2019. So having an end in sight and getting that up and running for our customers this spring is a happy event for everybody involved." he said. The plant is located on the west end of Regina, in the Global Transportation Hub for better access, Kuntz said. "It gives us an opportunity to really pull in canola from a number of different areas without having to actually go through the city of Regina, which could be a bind. Access to a couple of different rail lines as well is very important when you're setting up

National consortium formed to accelerate Canadian pea breeding through genomic selection

Today at the Saskatchewan Crops Forum, Protein Industries Canada announced a new two-year project in its Capacity Building Program with GIFS Ag Tech Enterprise Inc. and DL Seeds to develop a pea variety development database that will consolidate genetic information and data for breeders across Canada. With the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) serving as fundamental partners in this effort, the consortium will integrate genetic, phenotypic, environmental and pedigree data from across the country. This new data analysis platform will empower pulse breeders to leverage thousands of data points simultaneously, improving the quality and speed of breeding decisions and accelerating the development of new crop varieties. “Our government is proud to invest in this collaboration powered by Protein Industries Canada,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Developm

CPMA set to host the biggest produce show in Toronto: Early bird registration is now live

Online registration for the 2026 Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s Convention and Trade Show (CPMA 2026), taking place April 28-30, in Toronto, Ontario, is now open.

We’re Hiring! Southwestern Ontario Farmland Protection Coordinator

The Ontario Farmland Trust (OFT) is a niche land conservation organization that works to permanently protect Ontario’s farmland and associated natural features from being lost to urban sprawl and other non-agricultural uses. We are seeking a dedicated and motivated Farmland Protection Coordinator to join our team who will be responsible for supporting OFT’s farmland protection and conservation efforts in Southwestern Ontario.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service