University of Guelph Breaks Ground for New Dairy Research Facility

Oct 15, 2013

University of Guelph Breaks Ground for New Dairy Research Facility

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The University of Guelph broke ground on its new Livestock Innovation Centre for dairy research on Friday. The $25 million project is part of the university’s Elora Research Station, which will replace aging facilities with a new station that will expand the university’s livestock research capacities.

Built to be a world-class research facility, the new centre will address research and education needs of the dairy industry. Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) touts that the new centre will help ensure Ontarians continue to receive high-quality dairy products that consumers demand. Some of the key research priorities include genomics and feed optimization to improve milk production.

The Ontario government has pledged $20 million towards the project, and DFO has committed $5 million. The new research centre will also serve as an important resource for area dairy farmers. Currently, there are 4,000 dairy farms in Wellington County, representing about 10 percent of Ontario’s dairy producers. The new research centre is expected to be completed by fall of 2014.

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.