University of Guelph Receives $3-Million to Boost Dairy Research
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) has gifted the University of Guelph $3-million to advance dairy research.
The funds will support a new faculty position in dairy microbiology at the Ontario Agricultural College (OVC) and a research chair in dairy health at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). The gift was made through the University’s fundraising campaign - Better Planet Project.
The microbiology and research chair position will be supported for five years, while the dairy health professorship will be for 10 years. For each position, DFO will invest $200,000 a year.
DFO said that it looks forward to building on its longstanding relationship with the University to advance research on benefiting the dairy industry. Rob Gordon, OAC Dean calls this partnership a wonderful opportunity for the university and the dairy industry, noting this funding will help create added enthusiasm about the University’s dairy research capacity and teaching.
The OVC chair position will be held by Dr. David Kelton, who specialises in dairy cattle health and disease surveillance. Professor Kelton’s research will focus on infectious diseases, on-farm milk quality, biosecurity, animal welfare and reproductive health and efficiency.
The OAC professorship position is open, with the search to fill the position to be conducted by the Department of Food Science. The research focus will be on dairy microbiology, with the special emphasis on probiotics in dairy products and genetic modifications for health benefits.
The announcement coincides with the construction of a new $25 million dairy research facility located at the University of Guelph’s Elora Research station.