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Shaping the future of agriculture
I attended the recent Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC) 2050 conference and was struck by the four “drivers” identified as shaping agriculture’s future. Three were familiar from the well-established sustainability framework: social, economic, and environmental. The fourth, however, stood out: technology and innovation.
The addition of this pillar is both timely and significant. Across political and industry conversations, we are seeing a shift in emphasis toward productivity and competitiveness.
To achieve these goals, research and innovation must be at the forefront. It is important to remember, though, that research rarely delivers overnight breakthroughs. Instead, progress is often the result of years of incremental advances that quietly build toward transformative change.
Innovation does not always take the form of a new piece of equipment or technology. More often, it emerges through the development or refinement of best management practices – solutions that may be harder to measure but are no less impactful.
Whether it’s a new crop variety or a practical on-farm improvement, each innovation begins with research, and each requires persistence, patience, and a willingness to take risks.
At its core, investing in research and innovation is investing in proactive risk management. It is how we build resilience into Ontario’s livestock sector and ensure that we are prepared not just for today’s challenges, but for those of 2050 and beyond.
Kelly
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Remembering Brian Miller.png)
LRIC was saddened to learn of the passing of Brian Miller in August. Before retiring this past June, Brian was a valued member of the LRIC Board of Directors for 10 years, including serving as Chair of the organization.
His dedication and leadership helped guide LRIC through key stages of its growth and impact on Ontario’s livestock sector.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends and express our deep appreciation for his many years of service and commitment to advancing livestock research and innovation.
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Kaley Rodman joins LRIC 
LRIC’s newest team member is Kaley Rodman, who will be supporting the organization in a part-time capacity through her role as Program Coordinator with Canlead Solutions. She is helping drive projects and program activities, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and lead research knowledge translation and transfer (KTT) initiatives.
Raised on a beef farm where she remains actively involved today, Kaley holds a BSc in Agriculture and an MSc in Epidemiology from the University of Guelph and spent six years as a Beef Research Technician with the university’s research centres in New Liskeard and Elora. She has earned a Certificate in Knowledge Mobilization and gained hands-on KTT experience with both federal and provincial agricultural organizations.
At LRIC, Kaley will focus on making research more accessible and useful for the livestock sector. She’ll be summarizing research findings in industry-friendly formats, sharing information through social media and other communications channels, and supporting events and webinars such as the GRIP event.
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Emerging Trends and Opportunities Committee (ETOC)
Perspectives from retail: how research can help address disruptors in the livestock value chain
LRIC’s Emerging Trends and Opportunities Committee (ETOC) includes members from across the livestock industry from farm to retail, using their backgrounds and experiences to help identify big pictures issues for the sector.
In this article, we speak with Stacie Sopinka, Vice President Own Brands at Sobeys, on what she sees as the biggest disruptors facing the livestock value chain and how research can help address them. Her team manages the retailer’s national Own Brands program, overseeing new product development including packaging, compliance and go-to marketing strategy.
Q: How long have you been involved with LRIC, and what drew you to the ETOC?
I’ve been part of ETOC since it began about two years ago. Early in my career, I had the pleasure of working in conjunction with Grand Valley Fortifiers, which exposed me to the value of creating dialogue across the supply chain. Visiting farms that produced for retailers really showed me the importance of agriculture and livestock, and the families and businesses they support. I also find ETOC eye-opening and educational because I learn so much from peers across the chain.
Q: What do you see as the biggest disruptors facing the livestock value chain?
Consumer behaviour is changing rapidly. People are very value-oriented and making shifts in how much or which proteins they buy. Demographics are also shifting—diverse populations mean demand for culturally-specific products like Halal, for example, which changes the assortment we need. Finally, geopolitical issues ripple through global supply chains and add layers of complexity.
Q: From the retail perspective, what’s most pressing?
The ability to source Canadian-made products when customers want them. Consumers increasingly ask for Canadian, but supply can be limited. Value is also key—not just lowest cost, but the value as customers perceive it.
Q: How can LRIC and research help?
One of the biggest benefits of LRIC has been democratizing research—making it more accessible and usable across the value chain. It’s also created a network so you know who to call when you have questions. That helps break down silos, build empathy for different perspectives, and make sure research is relevant to all stakeholders.
Q: What research gaps do you see?
I think more work is needed on how social media and livestreaming affect Canadian consumer perceptions of livestock. U.S. media strongly influences Canadians, and decisions around protein choices are often driven by emotion, not facts. Better understanding this would help the whole sector.
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International Research Advisory Committee (IRAC)
Getting Research into Practice: Learning from global leaders
LRIC has launched a new research project to explore how leading international institutions are successfully Getting Research into Practice (GRIP) and advancing cross-disciplinary approaches to livestock research.
This initiative builds directly on recommendations from LRIC’s International Research Advisory Committee (IRAC), which released its latest strategy report last fall.
“This is a perfect example of how IRAC’s high-level discussions can be tied to tangible action that informs LRIC’s strategic direction,” says LRIC CEO Kelly Somerville. “It shows the progression from idea to implementation – how we got from A to B – and how the committee’s work can help shape future research and investment priorities.”
LRIC is working with Acer Consulting to examine institutions worldwide recognized for excellence in livestock research, knowledge translation, and getting research into practice. The goal is to identify international best practices and apply those insights to strengthen Ontario’s livestock sector.
Key objectives include learning from global leaders, addressing Ontario’s extension gap, improving cross-sector collaboration, developing models for Best Management Practices (BMPs), and creating actionable frameworks to ensure research findings reach farmers and industry in practical, usable ways.
The project runs from September 2025 to December 2026, with deliverables including a final report, recommendations tailored to Ontario, a stakeholder workshop, and a public webinar to share results with government, academia, and industry partners.
This work is another step in LRIC’s mission to bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that knowledge translates into real-world impact for Ontario’s livestock farmers.
LRIC has received funding from the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) – Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) Stream for the project. OAFRI is supported by the governments of Canada and Ontario through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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Getting research into practice
Sharing success: GRIP Roundtable spotlights pathways from research to practice
On September 30, LRIC hosted its 2025 GRIP Roundtable in Elora, bringing together researchers, industry and producers to explore practical ways of turning livestock research into real-world results. The event, hosted in partnership with Food from Thought at the University of Guelph and Guelph’s Department of Animla Biosciences, highlighted success stories on moving research from the lab to the farm, including the key roles that strong partnerships and clear communications can play.
Poultry welfare research
Dr. Tina Widowski, University of Guelph professor and Egg Farmers of Canada Research Chair in Poultry Welfare, highlighted the importance of research and science in poultry welfare, including how it has helped Canada’s egg industry in its transition away from conventional cages. She emphasized the importance of language and collaboration when working with farmers, noting that trust and mutual respect are essential for making challenging transitions possible.
Opportunities for manure management
Mel Luymes with the Ontario Professional Agri-Contractors Association highlighted both the environmental and economic value of manure. She outlined lessons from past crises like Walkerton and Lake Erie’s phosphorus challenges, and explored emerging opportunities, from methane reduction technologies to recognizing manure as a valuable fertilizer resource. Her message was clear: getting manure management practices into the field requires both sound science and strong economics.
Benchtop to barnyard innovations
Two “snapshots of success” showcased how research can directly benefit industry partners. Dr. Jennifer Ellis of the University of Guelph and Meeka Capozzalo of Molesworth Farm Supply shared their collaboration on using machine learning to predict and improve pellet quality in feed mills. Their project highlighted the power of early industry involvement, relationship-building and translating complex science into practical tools.
Micheál McInerney of StrongB? AgriTech presented a beef innovation that uses automated weighing platforms to provide real-time animal growth data. The technology helps farmers optimize feeding strategies, improve herd health, and make better marketing decisions—showing how practical data tools can drive profitability and animal care.
“What we heard from our speakers is that success comes from more than just good science. It requires trust, collaboration, communication, and practical pathways to adoption,” notes LRIC CEO Kelly Somerville. “By sharing these stories and best practices, LRIC is helping ensure that research translates into real-world impact for Ontario’s livestock sector.”
The day wrapped up with a tour at Harrcroft Acres, a Wellington County dairy farm, and presentations by Dr. Charlotte Winder from the Ontario Veterinary College, Dr. David Huyben of Guelph’s Department of Animal Biosciences and Laura Hamilton with Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. LRIC will be releasing several in depth news articles on topics from the day over the fall and winter.
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Mentorship
Mentorship program welcomes latest cohort of participants
A new cohort of early career faculty is beginning LRIC’s Mentorship Program this fall, marking the fifth year of this initiative to connect researchers with the realities of livestock farming.
Since its launch in 2021, about 24 early career faculty at Guelph and one from University of Waterloo have completed the program, gaining first-hand insights into agriculture and building connections that help shape more relevant and practical research.
Programming for the newest cohort kicks off in October with tours of the Ontario livestock research facilities at Elora. Farm visits remain a cornerstone of the program, offering young researchers invaluable opportunities to see livestock production up close and to learn directly from farmers.
“It’s these real-world experiences that leave a strong impression, helping scientists better understand the day-to-day realities farmers face and that shape agricultural decision-making,” says LRIC CEO Kelly Somerville.
Last year also marked a milestone with the participation of a faculty member from the University of Waterloo and the first-ever computer science researcher from the University of Guelph, broadening the program’s reach and highlighting the value of cross-disciplinary perspectives in solving livestock sector challenges.
In 2022, the mentorship program was expanded with an annual industry-supported research award for faculty participants who are engaged in cross-sectoral work. Together, these initiatives give researchers a stronger start in their careers and help ensure that tomorrow’s livestock research is practical, relevant, and useful on the farm.
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Thanks for reading. We'd love to hear your feedback about LRIC - both about what we're doing and what you think we should be doing! Please contact us at info@livestockresearch.ca with any questions or comments.
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The Livestock Research Innovation Corporation is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a 5-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative.The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri?food and agri?based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
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Call us: Kelly - 519 831 1719 or Jean - 519 767 8583
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