The Ontario government announced $41 million over the next four years to build and revitalize the province’s agriculture research infrastructure.
The funds, announced Oct. 7 at the Elora Research Station, include more funding for the new Ontario Poultry Research Centre at Elora.
Why it matters: Updated research facilities help maintain Ontario’s leadership in livestock research.
There are 14 research properties in Ontario owned by Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), and 13 of those properties are operated by the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-food Innovation Alliance.
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As part of this funding, Ontario is investing an additional $10.5 million in the new Ontario Poultry Research Centre at the 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 $13.5 million previously committed by the Ontario government, bringing the total provincial contribution to $24 million.
The poultry research station will complete the new livestock research infrastructure at the Elora Research Station and includes facilities for dairy, beef, swine and now, poultry research built over the last decade.
“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,” says Trevor Jones, Ontario’s minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
Other funding as part of the $41 million includes: $15.5 million in funding for the new Ontario Feed Innovation Centre at the Elora Research Station to provide micro-scale nutritional research for swine, poultry, small ruminants and aquaculture.
Repairs and upgrades will also be undertaken at other properties across the network, including the Dairy Education Centre at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown campus.
