Toronto, Ontario - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Harper Government will invest $3 million towards helping the Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) set up a world-class research and innovation centre at the University of Guelph. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz made the announcement at DFO's Annual General Meeting marking their 50th anniversary in Toronto today.

This facility will drive world-class research, fostering innovation and helping the industry capture new opportunities across the entire dairy value chain, in addition to launching outreach activities to stakeholders and other audiences. The federal government investment complements $20 million from the Ontario government, $1 million from DFO, and $1 million from other industry participants.

Quick Facts

• The new centre in Elora, Ontario, will conduct research in the following areas: health, reproduction, nutrition, animal well-being and value-added milk components, among others.
• The federal government has also invested $12 million in a dairy research cluster (2013-18) that brings together scientific expertise for research in key areas such as sustainable milk production, dairy genetics and genomics, and the nutrition of milk products, led by the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
• The investment in the new dairy centre is made through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP), a $50 million initiative designed to support industry-led projects that help the sector seize opportunities, respond to emerging issues and investigate and pilot approaches to deal with new and ongoing issues.

Quotes

"Our Government is proud to join with the province and industry to get this world-class facility off the ground. This project will help ensure that Ontario's dairy industry continues to be a major contributor to the economic growth of Canada."

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

"Dairy Farmers of Ontario is grateful Minister Ritz chose the celebration of DFO's 50th Anniversary to announce his support for this important dairy research facility. T‎he Elora Research Station will ensure a healthy long-term future for the Ontario and Canadian dairy industry. The contribution‎ demonstrates this government's leadership and belief in the need for continuing research, education and training for the betterment of our industry, as well as for the next generation of dairy farmers and industry stakeholders."

Bill Emmott, DFO Board Chair