Using $14.4 million from the Government of Ontario and $3.6 million from Ontario Pork, construction is now underway on a new $18 million swine research facility that will use state-of-the-art technology. The aim is to build the province's capacity and expertise to support cutting-edge research that drives innovation and contributes to the swine sector's competitiveness and productivity.

"Investing in nutritional research is critical to helping Ontario livestock farmers grow and thrive," said Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph. "The Beef Research Centre supports our beef industry in staying innovative and competitive, with the latest technologies and findings on health, welfare and production."

Additionally, with an investment of $1.3 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership at the Ontario Beef Research Centre - Elora, the governments of Canada and Ontario plan to advance beef nutritional research.

The beef nutrition research investment supports the purchase of 96 Insentec feeders, a digitized precision feeding system that tracks and adjusts the nutrition for each individual cow as needed.

"Our government is making the critical investments necessary to support cutting-edge technologies, like Insentec feeders and a new swine research facility, because they fuel innovation and help Ontario livestock farmers be more competitive in the marketplace," said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "By investing in agri-food research and supporting the livestock sector, our government is building Ontario to ensure the continued economic growth of the industry and rural Ontario."

Results from the research will produce healthier cattle and reduce waste, making beef farmers more competitive in the global marketplace.