Province commits $13.5M to new poultry research centre
The Ontario government has commitment to spend $13.5 million to build a new poultry-research centre at the University of Guelph in Elora.
The province, the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario (ARIO) and the province’s four poultry industry boards announced on April 24 that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to invest in the new Ontario Poultry Research Centre to advance research and drive innovation for the poultry sector.
"As part of the Grow Ontario Strategy, our government is focused on enhancing our research and innovation capabilities across the agri-food sector," said Lisa Thompson, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “This research centre will, once completed equip our poultry industry with the tools, and the knowledge to stay competitive, while creating jobs, growing the economy and ensuring supply chain security."
Research conducted at the facility will support animal welfare, reproduction and nutrition, as well as meat quality and safety. Results will be shared with poultry farmers and the broader poultry business sector to encourage the adoption of innovative, safer, healthier, and more efficient animal and on-farm production practices.
Ontario’s poultry industry includes more than 1,200 chicken and turkey producers and 432 egg farmers.
In 2021, Ontario accounted for 457.3 million kilograms of the chicken (including stewing hens), 68.3 million kilograms of turkey and 316.4 million dozen eggs. Combined, the industry contributed roughly $1.8 billion to the province’s economy.
"The new Ontario Poultry Research Centre is a major and future-forward step in advancing the sustainability, competitiveness and resilience of Ontario’s poultry industry through cutting-edge research, collaborative partnerships and innovation,” said Dr. Malcolm Campbell, Vice-President (Research) at the University of Guelph. “The centre will provide researchers with the facilities and resources to conduct purpose-driven research on pressing industry challenges, supporting strong and stable poultry production across the province by improving animal health and welfare, food safety, and production efficiency."
The new centre is expected to begin construction in 2024 and be completed by 2026.