Ontario Invests $7.2 Million in Agri-Food Research to Boost Farmers and Agribusinesses

Jul 21, 2025

Ontario’s pork sector is set to benefit from a major provincial investment, as the Ontario government announced $7.2 million in funding for agri-food research aimed at helping farmers and agribusinesses compete on a global scale.

The funding, delivered through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, will support 44 applied research and innovation projects. These projects will focus on improving productivity, enhancing sustainability, and developing new tools and technologies that bring real on-farm benefits to producers across the province.

For the swine sector, the investments are expected to deliver advancements in critical areas such as biosecurity, animal health, nutrition, and welfare. Projects include work on digital biosecurity tools to help farms monitor and manage disease risks more effectively, as well as research into more efficient feeding strategies, welfare improvements, and practical solutions to everyday challenges facing pig farmers.

This announcement is part of Ontario’s broader commitment to strengthen its agri-food industry, helping farmers remain competitive while meeting the growing global demand for safe, high-quality protein.

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Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.