News release: LRIC hosting workshop to improve getting research into practice

Alison Van Eenennaam, U.S. extension specialist to speak in Elora

Guelph ON, 29 March 2023 – How the livestock sector collectively can do a better job of getting research results from the lab to the farm is the focus of a day-long workshop being hosted by Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). 

The event will take place on April 19 at The GrandWay Events Centre in Elora, starting at 10 am, and will be a mixed format of presentations and workshop session. Speakers include noted U.S. extension specialist Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam from the University of California Davis and Dr. Steven Roche from Acer Consulting. 

Together with other presenters, they will address why the industry is at a critical moment for getting research into practice, how the system currently works and what opportunities exist for improvement. A panel of industry representatives will discuss their first-hand experiences in implementing research outcomes on the farm.

The afternoon will feature a workshop from the Alan Alda Centre for Communicating Science that will focus on building trust and understanding with others and help participants build a plan to take next steps in communicating and implementing research results. 

“Most Ontario livestock producers, through their service fees or checkoffs, support research in their respective sectors – but there is general agreement across the industry that more needs to be done to ensure the outcomes of that research are ultimately used on the farm,” says LRIC CEO Mike McMorris. “For our sector to be competitive and sustainable, farmers need a system that makes research results accessible in a way that encourages them to make effective decisions for their businesses.”

Registration for the event is now open on the LRIC website, at a cost of $40 for general participants and $5 for students. 

Over the last 18 months, LRIC has been actively involved in driving an increased focus on GRIP. Together with Prof. Jennifer Ellis from the University of Guelph and Poultry Industry Council, LRIC has developed a new library of podcasts, videos and webinars designed to help the livestock industry get research and innovation information directly to the farm. These resources, as well as LRIC’s Horizon Series of webinars and white papers focused on the big issues affecting livestock agriculture, are available on the LRIC website. 

Established in 2012 with support from Ontario’s beef, pork, dairy and poultry sector organizations and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation’s mission is driving innovation. The organization takes a value chain approach to research and innovation by providing leadership in research priority setting, coordination and process, identifying and communicating emerging issues, and strengthening networks across the sector. 

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For more information: 
Mike McMorris, LRIC CEO, 519-766-5464