Competition for available investors dollars is fierce in the Canadian agri-tech space.

Entries accepted to Ontario agriculture innovation pitch competition

Competition has helped many innovators commercialize their products

Entries are now being accepted for the second annual Ontario Agri-Tech Pitch Competition. The event offers promising early-stage Ontario ag innovation start-ups the opportunity to pitch their innovations to a panel of judges, connect with potential investors and use coaching and mentorship services to hone their business strategies. Why it matters: Competition for available investors […] Read more

(Video screengrab from University of Guelph/OAC video via YouTube)

OAC to offer new master’s program in plant agriculture

New program would run alongside research-based degrees

Ontario Agricultural College is seeking approvals to offer a new master’s degree in plant agriculture, which would designate plant science professionals operating at a grad-school level but not on the traditional research-based path. OAC said Wednesday its proposed new “master of plant agriculture” (MPAg) program would allow recent graduates and professionals to “quickly upgrade education […] Read more

McKenna Morrison, at the podium says the Ontario Dairy Herd Apprenticeship Program has taught her skills she is applying to her job at a dairy farm near Thedford.

Virtual option expands dairy apprenticeship reach

Travel time had limited access to the program for those far from Ridgetown

Ontario’s Dairy Herd Apprenticeship Program is creating a virtual option, which should allow more people to take the Ridgetown-based program. The apprenticeship program gives students practical knowledge that can immediately be put to work on dairy farms. The program is based at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph, and that location in southern […] Read more

Dairy and beef producers needed for well-being studies

Dairy and beef producers needed for well-being studies

Studies use cross-province collaboration between Universities of Manitoba and Guelph

Updated Aug. 23, 2023 The University of Manitoba is running three studies on the impact of beef and dairy production on producers, including in Ontario. The dairy start-up study will assess the impact on producer well-being as they install and adjust to robots on the farm. The remaining two studies focus on how farm management […] Read more

Undergrad Team 1 won first plast in the National Dvision: Stephanie Fletcher, left, Joe Rastapkevicius, Francois Tardif, coach, Noelle Adams, Curtis Vanrooy. Photo: Courtesy University of Guelph

Guelph undergrad team takes first place in weed science Olympics

Event could be a career pathway for young agriculture students

A team from the University of Guelph has taken the top honour at the 2023 Weed Science Olympics in Union City, Tennessee, winning first place overall. Seventeen Guelph students in total attended, many of whom took home achievements in individual events and competitions. A team of four took the first place overall award. Why it […] Read more


The U of G’s Research Innovation Office is bringing farmers together with industry participants across the value chain to make innovations more applicable.

University of Guelph launches community approach to agricultural innovation

Collaboration and new fund aim to make agricultural innovation solve problems facing farmers

The University of Guelph’s Research Innovation Office (RIO) is supporting research through a new approach to innovation. Last year, the team responsible for helping commercialize research began taking a new look at innovation, commercialization and where research needs come from. This has resulted in a new collaborative approach and the new Competitive Advancing Research Impact […] Read more

An artist’s rendering of the interior of the new HBRC.

U of G hits sweet spot with honeybee research centre

New centre to operate as hive of community engagement

The University of Guelph is abuzz with anticipation now the ground has broken for a new $16 million honeybee research facility. The 15,000-square-foot Luckevich Pinchin Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC) should be operational by 2025 and house North America’s most significant number of honeybee research colonies. Why it matters: The HBRC has operated since 1894, […] Read more

“This new Honey Bee Research Centre will allow us to scale up research and outreach.” – Dr. John Cranfield, Ontario Agricultural College.

U of G constructing new Honey Bee Research Centre

The University of Guelph announced the construction of a new Honey Bee Research Centre, which will be in operation by 2025. Construction on the Luckevich Pinchin Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC) began at a groundbreaking event held at the university on June 14. The goal of the centre is to save honeybees from ongoing population declines […] Read more


Jill Dunlop, right, Minister of Colleges and Universities, speaks with a member of the Ontario Veterinary College program after announcing a $15 million collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program between the University of Guelph and Lakehead University.

Veterinary program investment to address animal treatment shortage

Northern community sees value in new collaborative vet program

A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program collaboration at the University of Guelph and Lakehead University is now official. “This is a program that is going to generate a tremendous return on the investment in terms of supporting our farmers,” said Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Minister Lisa Thompson, speaking April 20 at the U of […] Read more

Senator Paula Simon couldn’t hold back a laugh at the degraded underwear she and Senator Rob Black, background, had just dug up from land at the University of Guelph’s Soil Health Interpretive Centre in Elora.

Senators dig into soil at the grassroots level

Agriculture and Forestry Senate Committee goes on fact-finding mission

Senators soiled their undies for science and dug into soil research at the Soil Health Interpretive Centre in Elora on April 25. “We’re seeing important work that happens on the ground, yesterday at the farm level and here at the university academic level,” said Senator Rob Black, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and […] Read more