The Ontario government is investing more than CA$41 million (US$29.4 million) over the next four years to boost the Canadian province’s poultry, feed and dairy sectors.
According to a press release from the provincial government, the investment will revitalize the Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) infrastructure. ARIO is a government agency that owns the province’s network of agrifood research infrastructure, which includes 14 research station properties with 5,600 acres and over 200 buildings. The research centers are owned by ARIO and are operated and managed by the University of Guelph (U of G) through the Ontario Agrifood Innovation Alliance.
“Our government is taking action to protect Ontario’s agri-food sector, and we are proud to support farmers and business owners,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Through investments in research and innovation, we are ensuring farmers and business owners have the best solutions to remain competitive against tariffs and ensure families can continue to buy high-quality, Ontario-made food with pride.”
Ontario Poultry Research Centre
The Ontario Poultry Research Centre, located at the U of G Elora Research Station. The new facility will support Ontario’s 1,200 chicken and turkey producers and 432 egg farmers by boosting research on animal welfare, reproduction and meat quality and safety. This funding is in addition to the CA$13.5 million previously committed by the Ontario government, bringing the total provincial contribution to CA$24 million.
"We are grateful to the Ontario government for its increased investment in the Ontario Poultry Research and Innovation Centre. This support will strengthen our ability to manage risk and prevent disease, while also opening new doors to enhance on-farm efficiencies, advance sustainable practices, and introduce cutting-edge technologies to benefit Ontario’s poultry sector,” said Murray Opsteen, board chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario.
Ontario Feed Innovation Center
Ontario Feed Innovation Centre, also at the Elora Research Station, will receive CA$15.5 million in funding for micro-scale nutritional research for swine, poultry, small ruminants and aquaculture.
"Ontario Pork commends OMAFA, the Government of Ontario and ARIO for their continued commitment to research and innovation through the new Ontario Feed Innovation Centre," said Tara Terpstra, board chair, Ontario Pork.
Other investments
Repairs and upgrades to other properties across the network, including the Dairy Education Centre at the U of G Ridgetown campus, to ensure the continuation of cutting-edge research and innovation to benefit farmers and agribusinesses across Ontario.
"Dairy Farmers of Ontario supports the announcement on investment for repairs and upgrades to the Dairy Education Centre at Ridgetown and would like to thank OMAFA and Minister Trevor Jones. As the largest sector of Ontario agriculture, the dairy industry supports more than 89,000 jobs and contributes nearly $8.5 billion to Ontario’s GDP. ... This investment supports the Dairy Education Centre’s continued delivery of high-quality dairy education and training in Ontario for students interested in a career in Ontario agriculture," said Mark Hamel, board chair, Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
