Public investment and sector partnerships grow University of Guelph research into practical solutions for farmers, businesses and consumers across Ontario
Disease can spread quickly through a barn. Crops can struggle before warning signs appear. Climate pressures and changing markets can make it harder for Ontario farmers and food businesses to plan for what comes next.
Across the province, University of Guelph experts are working with government, producers and industry partners to tackle these challenges, turning research, laboratory testing and training into practical solutions that protect Ontario farms, build a more self-reliant agri-food sector, create jobs and secure Ontario’s food future.
Their work is featured in the new edition of Growing Ontario Solutions, the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance’s annual report.
The Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and U of G, brings together provincial investment, U of G expertise and sector partnership to build the capacity Ontario’s agri-food sector relies on.
“The University of Guelph is deeply committed to Ontario’s agri-food sector and the people who drive it,” says Dr. Rene Van Acker, president and vice-chancellor. “Our strength lies in bringing research, education and industry together. Through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, we’re putting that strength to work to solve real-world challenges, create new opportunities for farmers and food businesses, and strengthen Ontario’s food future.”
Investing in results
In 2025–26, U of G leveraged Ontario’s $67.1-million investment a further $162.5 million, supporting 68 new demand-driven projects, nearly 3 million animal health and food safety laboratory tests, and training for more than 6,900 farmers and members of the agri-food community.
“Ontario’s agri-food sector succeeds when research, industry and government work together to solve real-world challenges,” said Sam Oosterhoff, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “The Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance is helping turn innovation into practical solutions that support farmers, strengthen food businesses, protect animal and plant health and build a more resilient food system. Growing Ontario Solutions 2025-26 demonstrates how Ontario’s investment is helping to drive scientific discoveries, create jobs and ensure our agri-food sector remains competitive.”
The breadth of that work and scope of its impact on Ontario’s agri-food economy are highlighted throughout Growing Ontario Solutions 2025–26.
Staying ahead of threats
For the livestock industry, data-driven disease surveillance tools help speed disease response, and economic models minimize the impact of future outbreaks. For crop farmers, soil scientists find solutions to reduce fertilizer use, and new technologies are tested on-farm so farmers can confidently adopt new tools.
Food businesses, like craft brewers and bio-tech companies, find trusted partners to advance new products and protect product quality—and their reputations.
Alliance plant breeding programs provide a pipeline of productive new cultivars suited to Ontario growing conditions.
“The dry-bean breeding program at the University of Guelph is essential to the continued growth, competitiveness, and sustainability of Ontario’s dry bean industry,” says Ryan Koeslag, executive director of Ontario Bean Growers. “These investments develop new varieties with improved yields, disease resistance, quality, and adaptability to Ontario’s growing conditions. These advancements deliver significant economic benefits by increasing farm productivity, reducing input costs, and improving profitability for growers, while ensuring Ontario beans remain competitive in domestic and international markets.”
Alliance expertise and infrastructure help Ontario anticipate risks, solve production challenges and bring new ideas into practice.
The report also highlights the people behind that work, including students gaining hands-on experience and sector partners collaborating to protect Ontario’s food future.
Explore Growing Ontario Solutions to see how the Alliance strengthens the province’s farms and businesses by transforming public investment, research, talent and partnership into practical solutions that support producers, create jobs, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient Ontario.