GUELPH – A $2 million funding agreement has been reached between the provincial and federal governments and the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC).
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding will support LRIC activities for the next five years.
CAP funding is a five-year, $3.5-billion spend by governments to strengthen the agri-food sector.
“Funding will help the Livestock Research Innovation Corporation drive innovation within the sector,” federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay said.
Provincial agriculture minister Lisa Thompson said the investment will allow for “significant contributions towards the ambitious goals we have set out for the province’s agriculture and food sector in our Grow Ontario Strategy.”
LRIC will continue working on industry intelligence- gathering, stakeholder engagement and collaboration, providing research services and activities supporting knowledge mobilization and getting research into practice.
‘Key pillar’
LRIC chair and dairy farmer Don Gordon said the livestock industry is a “key pillar” of the province’s economy, and appreciates the government support.
“Our focus is to drive innovation in the livestock sector,” he said.
LRIC international research advisory committee chair Jim White said, “Part of LRIC’s role is to work toward impactful improvements of the innovation system.
“Improving the system can only happen when industry, government and academia collaborate with a common objective in mind, with the goal to develop new technologies, practices and solutions for the agri-food sector.”
LRIC is also a University of Guelph partner when it comes to supporting research in the livestock sector.
Acting university vice-president of research Rene Van Acker said, “This helps us ensure our research activities continue to be relevant and help support the ongoing competitiveness and strength of the sector.”
Established in 2012
LRIC was established in 2012, with financial support from Ontario’s beef, pork, dairy and poultry sector organizations and the province.
The organization 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.
