New Funding to Modernize Ontario Farm Research
The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $41 million over the next four years to enhance and modernize infrastructure under Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO).
This initiative, part of the province’s plan to safeguard Ontario’s agri-food sector, aims to strengthen Ontario-led innovation and provide farmers with access to advanced tools and technologies that help maintain the sector’s global competitiveness and resilience.
“Our government is taking action to protect Ontario’s agri-food sector, and we are proud to support farmers and business owners,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
“Through investments in research and innovation, we are ensuring farmers and business owners have the best solutions to remain competitive against tariffs and ensure families can continue to buy high-quality, Ontario-made food with pride.”
A key portion of the funding $10.5 million will go towards the development of the Ontario Poultry Research Centre at the Elora Research Station.
This new facility will enhance research in animal welfare, reproduction, and meat quality and safety, directly benefiting Ontario’s 1,200 chicken and turkey producers and 432 egg farmers. This latest funding complements the $13.5 million already committed, bringing the province’s total contribution to $24 million.
Additional ARIO projects include $15.5 million for the Ontario Feed Innovation Centre at Elora, which will provide micro-scale nutritional research for swine, poultry, small ruminants, and aquaculture.
The investment will also support repairs and upgrades across other facilities, including the Dairy Education Centre at the Ridgetown campus, ensuring continued innovation to benefit farmers and agribusinesses province wide.
“For more than 60 years, ARIO has been providing the spaces and places where agri-food research and innovation happens in Ontario. We are pleased the Ontario government is investing to revitalize ARIO infrastructure,” said Nevin McDougall, Board Chair, ARIO.
"This investment will not only build on ARIO’s world-class research platform but will also enable stronger research capacity to support a competitive and sustainable agri food sector; a pillar of Ontario’s economy."
ARIO, an agency of the Ontario government, oversees 14 research stations with over 5,600 acres and 200 buildings. These investments align with the Grow Ontario Strategy, promoting innovation, sustainability, and economic growth across the province’s agri-food sector.
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