Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

early career research award presenters and winners 2025

News release: Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives

June 24, 2025: The 2025 Early Career Research Award was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium held recently. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his research into discovering and developing antiviral treatments for highly pathogenic livestock and poultry viruses.

Research plays a key role in narrative about cattle and climate

Ontario Beef, May 2025: This past winter, Alltech hosted the first-ever Canadian screening of its documentary A World Without Cows. The film provides an unbiased, global perspective on the relationship between cows and the environment. According to Livestock Research and Innovation Corporation (LRIC) CEO Kelly Somerville, in a film full of compelling statistics and powerful imagery, one quote stood out: “Farmers are the world’s worst communicators.”

News release: Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members

May 23, 2025: Two new board directors have joined the leadership of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Mohamad Yaghi with Farm Credit Canada and Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae Farms both fill appointed director positions on the LRIC board.

When does gene editing make sense in livestock production?

Better Pork, April 2025: Gene editing can offer significant solutions to some of the big challenges in livestock production, even though the technology is still evolving, the regulatory environment is complicated, and it is still unknown how consumers will respond. Dr. Mike Lohuis, Vice President of Research and Innovation at Semex Alliance, believes the world will see gradual regulatory approval of gene editing projects in key markets over the next decade.

Beyond the echo chamber

CEO Commentary: Last month, Alltech hosted the first-ever Canadian screening of its documentary A World Without Cows in Guelph. The film provides an unbiased, global perspective on the relationship between cows and the environment. In a film full of compelling statistics and powerful imagery, one quote stood out: “Farmers are the world’s worst communicators.”

Change is a freight train

CEO Commentary: My predecessor, Mike McMorris, told me once that the status quo carries tremendous inertia. Change can be difficult—especially when we don’t control it—but in today’s livestock sector, driving the change we need is more critical than ever. Now is the time to challenge the status quo.

News release: New Director of Research joins Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

January 15, 2025: Stephanie Lam, Ph.D., has assumed the newly created role of Director of Research at Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Lam comes to LRIC from the University of Guelph, where she held a Research Associate position in the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock and managed projects in the beef, dairy and sheep industries.

Transformation and opportunity

CEO Commentary: As we turn the calendar to 2025, it’s a fitting time to reflect on how far we’ve come and set our sights on what lies ahead in Ontario’s livestock innovation landscape. The past year has underscored the critical importance of collaboration, resilience, and forward-thinking as we navigate a rapidly changing world.

How much methane are swine barns actually producing – and how can that be reduced?

Better Pork, December 2024: A lack of ground-truthed science is often a source of frustration for farmers when policymakers set arbitrary targets or goals for the industry to work towards. In the case of methane emissions from livestock production: how much is actually being produced and how much should the reduction be? What are the most effective solutions to create that change that will also be practical and affordable to implement on farm?