CENTRE WELLINGTON – Resiliency and how to find opportunity in change is the theme of this year’s upcoming Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium.
The event will be held June 12 with keynote speakers Ian Ross, CEO of Grand Valley Fortifiers, Paul Moyer, co-founder of Clean Works, and Lisa Ashton, agriculture policy lead at RBC Thought Leadership.
As head of the GVF Group of Companies, Ross is a thought leader and advocate for the livestock industry and how it can navigate current challenges and opportunities from sustainability to climate change and more.
Moyer will share his story on how a devastating product recall led to a brand-new business opportunity that has the potential to change food safety and shelf life for fresh produce. Ashton’s role at RBC straddles the research and the practitioner world where she provides an agricultural lens to climate and putting research into action.
A panel discussion with all three speakers will follow their individual presentations.
“These are turbulent times for the livestock industry, for Ontario, for Canada and for countries around the world as we grapple with new trade challenges and economic upheaval alongside existing big issues like climate change, sustainability and more,” says LRIC CEO Kelly Somerville. “There is always opportunity in change, however, and we look forward to our speakers addressing how we can find and leverage that opportunity for the betterment of Ontario’s livestock industry.”
LRIC will also be presenting the 2025 Early Career Research Award at the symposium.
Up to $100,000 is available to University of Guelph faculty who have taken part in LRIC’s Early Career Mentorship Program and are involved with a research project or program that will foster and build knowledge and capacity in the Ontario livestock sector.
Cross-sector research activities are a particular focus.
Now in its fourth year, the award is funded by LRIC, Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS), Western Fair Association (WFA), Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) and Ontario Veterinary College (OVC).
Previous award winners include Dr. Jennifer Ellis from the department of animal bioscience; Dr. Nicole Ricker, Dr. Sam Workenhe and Dr. Emma Borkowski from the department of pathobiology; and Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury of the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development.
The symposium takes place June 12 at The Grandway Events Centre in Elora, from 9am to 12pm. Lunch will be provided and registration is available at livestockresearch.ca/events.
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation was established in 2012 with support from Ontario’s beef, pork, dairy and poultry sector organizations and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
With a mission to drive innovation, LRIC takes a value chain approach to research and innovation by providing leadership in research priority setting, coordination and process, identifying and communicating emerging issues, and strengthening networks across the sector.
LRIC is funded in part by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion program by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
