October 2026

Growing Ontario agri-food together: A collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph

In This Issue:

• From skills to impact: Evolving research training for the future
• Meet the first beans designed with help from AI
• Student stories: Dr. Jackie Stalker, large animal veterinarian
• Event recaps: Canada's Outdoor Farm Show and International Plowing Match and Rural Expo
• U of G Office of Research photo contest
• Upcoming events
• Alliance people, places and programs in the media

Launched in 2019 through a collaboration among the Community Engaged Scholarship Institute (CESI), the Research Innovation Office (RIO) and the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, the series has equipped student and faculty researchers with the skills required to move research beyond academic publications and into practice: a process known as knowledge translation and transfer (KTT).

Starting in the fall semester of 2026, the workshop series is evolving its “core” training to reach an even broader audience and align with other campus initiatives. In collaboration with Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C), the core series will be available in a free, online, on-demand format.

With this transition, the Skills brand will shift its focus to training that responds to emerging needs and builds deeper competencies.

Meet the First Beans Designed with Help From AI

A new “super bean” developed with help from artificial intelligence could reach farmers within a few years, the result of U of G research using AI to speed up the plant breeding process and increase productivity. 

It’s thanks to BeanGPT, a platform designed to help producers uncover the best beans to grow in their local conditions. As Canada’s agri-food sector continues to grapple with threats from tariffs and climate change, Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi says BeanGPT and other advancements can increase Canada’s sovereignty to create a more reliable food system. 

U of G’s dry bean breeding program is made possible by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance. The Ontario Crops Research Centre – Elora is owned by Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario, an agency of the Government of Ontario, and is managed by U of G through the Alliance.  

When Jaqueline Stalker, DVM 2026, applied to the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, she already knew she wanted to work with farm animals.

Stalker's educational background was in music, and she didn’t grow up on a farm. After deciding to leave the world of music, Stalker dabbled in research, wildlife rehabilitation and worked with beef cows in Western Canada, coming to realize that the large animal path was meant for her.

The impact of the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance was on display at the University of Guelph's exhibits at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show (Sept. 15-17) and the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (Sept. 22-26). Researchers engaged with participants by sharing valuable crop, livestock and rural research that's securing Ontario's food future.

Visitors learned about the ways U of G researchers are advancing agri-robotics, climate resilience, biodiversity, soil health, food security and technology and much more. 

Look for U of G at the upcoming Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, bringing an educational perspective to celebrating the best food, livestock and horsemanship in Canada.

U of G Office of Research Photo Contest

The Research in Focus photo contest is an opportunity for University of Guelph faculty, staff, students and postdocs to showcase pictures of their research for a chance to win one of five cash prizes.

Show the world how U of G research has real-world impacts and improves life.

The best photo with an agri-food innovation theme will win $750. 

Submissions are open until November 6, 2026.

A selection of Alliance people, places and programs cited in popular and trade media.

Use of Overhead Field Imagery Doesn’t Have to be Expensive (Sept. 24, Farmtario)

U of G professor Dr. John Sulik developed an app called ELVIS to help farmers interpret soil data.

What Soil Aggregate Stability Does for Your Farm (Sept. 23, Farmtario)

Dr. Laura Van Eerd, Charlotte Products chair in Net Zero Soil Management, co-director of Soils at Guelph and professor at the University of Guelph's Ridgetown Campus, discusses soil aggregate stability.

Growing Smarter to Tackle Ontario's Farm Challenges (Sept. 23, University of Waterloo)

A team from Waterloo and the University of Guelph partnered with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) to take on those problems by designing a system that monitors greenhouse crops for early signs of disease, infection and plant stresses.

Steam Treatment Proves an IPM Boon for Greenhouse Strawberries (Sept. 10, Greenhouse Canada)

U of G masters student Karli Barton shares research on countering cyclamen mite, the importance of integrating steam treatment and biological control to enhance sustainable greenhouse strawberry production in Canada.

Genetic Resistance to Post-Weaning Diarrhea (Sept. 7, Farms.com)

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Vahab Farzan from the University of Guelph explains why post-weaning diarrhea remains a major challenge for swine production.

AI Platform BeanGPT Aims to Boost Dry Bean Farming and Cross-Breeding (Sept. 6, CBC News)

Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi explains how AI platform BeanGPT is helping to create the first "super-bean".

Comments? Feedback? Events or content to include? Email alliance@uoguelph.ca.

This newsletter is produced by the University's Office of Research. The views expressed are the views of the University and do not necessarily reflect those of OMAFA. Questions regarding the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance can be addressed to alliance@uoguelph.ca.