Morning, Grower.

Here’s what we got for you today:

• 🐔 Avian Influenza In Canada — Where Are We At?

• 👨 New Chair of Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO)

• 🫘 The Bean That's Revolutionizing Ontario Farms

📢 Heads Up!

Premier Ford will speak at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference @ 9:05am today. 

You can see the live stream here: Premier’s official YouTube channel

💰 Funding

The AgriScience Program — the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership provides funding and collaborative support for pre-commercial science and research projects benefiting the agriculture and agri-food sectors. With a maximum funding of $10 million for projects and varying cost-share options, the program fosters innovation through industry, government, and academic partnerships until March 31, 2028

Avian Influenza In Canada

So… where are we at?

As of January 8, approximately 138,000 birds across farms in Oxford County, two farms in the Town of Strathroy, and one in Middlesex North County have been affected in seven separate cases, according to a CFIA. By January 10, a commercial poultry farm in Wellington County had also been placed under quarantine, based on publicly available CFIA data tracking avian influenza investigations and orders in domestic birds across Canada.

This table lists the number of birds in flocks impacted by avian influenza by province.

And… what can you do?

Well, we’ll refer you to the experts. On February 4, Dr. Shayan Sharif, a leading expert from the University of Guelph, will give a presentation on urgent updates and biosecurity strategies for managing the virus. The session will provide producers with actionable insights to protect their operations in a rapidly evolving disease landscape.

Register here: Poultry Health Watch: Insights to help shield your flock from disease

New Chair of Agricultural Research and Innovation (AIRO)

Nevin McDougall is stepping into the driver's seat at Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), bringing 30 years of agribusiness expertise to accelerate innovation across Ontario's $51 billion agricultural sector.

Starting January 18, McDougall will chair the organization that oversees 14 research centers throughout the province. His appointment comes with a clear mission: transform cutting-edge agricultural research into real-world solutions for Ontario's farmers and agribusinesses.

The stakes are high – Ontario's agri-food sector employs over 871,000 people, or one in nine jobs province-wide. McDougall, who's served on ARIO's board since 2020, succeeds Dr. Lorne Hepworth, whose tenure saw the completion of three major research facilities and a modernized Agricultural Research Act.

"I look forward to exploring new opportunities for agri-food research, innovation, and commercialization in Ontario," says McDougall, whose background in R&D and commercial operations positions him to bridge the gap between laboratory breakthroughs and farm implementation.

The Bean That's Revolutionizing Ontario Farms

Move over regular beans - there's a new king in town. The Dynasty kidney bean, developed at the University of Guelph, just snagged the 2024 Innovation of the Year award, and for good reason: it's helping farmers pocket an extra $250 per acre.

What makes this bean so special? Think of it as the superhero of kidney beans - it yields 15% more than its predecessors, fights off diseases like a champ, and adapts to different growing conditions. It's the result of over two decades of careful breeding by Dr. Peter Pauls and research technician Tom Smith, picking up where retired researcher Dr. Tom Michaels left off in the early 2000s.

Thanks to partnerships between the University of Guelph, the Ontario government, and various agricultural research centers, farmers across Ontario now have access to these beans. Who knew beans could be this exciting?

🌱 Seedling Reports

January 10th USDA WASDE — The report highlights reduced U.S. corn and wadse soybean production due to lower yields, with increased prices for corn but unchanged soybean prices. Global wheat and cotton production are up, while U.S. livestock prices are generally higher due to adjusted production and market dynamics.

Dairy Farmers of Ontario 60th Anniversary — Ontario’s dairy industry contributed $8.5 billion to Ontario’s GDP and supported 89,000 jobs in 2024.

We’d love your input! If you have a content suggestion or question, reply to this email or email us at [email protected]