Better partnerships can help solve animal agriculture’s big issues

By Lilian Schaer for Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

It’s been just under a year since Dr. Christine Baes became the new Chair of the University of Guelph’s Department of Animal Biosciences – and she’s focused on charting a new path that will help the department and the livestock industry be future-ready. 
Well-known as a global leader in the field of livestock genetics and quantitative genetics, Baes accepted the Semex Canadian Dairy Network – Holstein Canada Professorship in Dairy Genomics at Guelph in 2015 and was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Livestock Genomics by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in 2019. 

What do you see as the big challenges and opportunities facing the livestock industry? 

Livestock is intrinsic to Ontario agriculture and a fundamental part of agriculture, but the livestock industry faces many sustainability and public image hurdles like environmental impact and animal welfare, compounded by health risks and resource scarcity. And yet, technological advancements offer amazing opportunities for efficiency and innovation. I see a huge opportunity for the University of Guelph to provide an exceptional and inclusive educational environment for people interested in animals, and to inspire students to become ethical, knowledgeable professionals capable of addressing these challenges.  

How do you see research and innovation playing a role here? 

Research and innovation drive solutions in the livestock industry. Our researchers use technical advancements to study and understand various priority areas in the industry, many of which ultimately result in improvements across the different species and fields. Tools like genomics, precision livestock approaches, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, remote monitoring systems and robotics are very powerful, but they need to be applied meaningfully. This fosters resilience, competitiveness, and long-term viability in the sector. We can’t address the really big problems in livestock agriculture without meaningful dialogue and collaboration between producers, industry stakeholders, government and academia. 

Are there areas of livestock research that you think have the potential for bigger impact? 

There are several areas that come to mind, including genetic improvement, feed efficiency, disease management, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and value-added products. In today’s world, we also need to assess the socio-economic implications of livestock production, including livelihoods in rural communities, food security, and changing cultural aspects to ensure sustainable and inclusive development. 

For example, with the changing demographics of the Canadian population, we should be paying more attention to what new Canadians are interested in eating, and it might not be the beef, pork and chicken we’re used to. The sheep and goat industry could provide huge opportunity if we play our cards right.

There are also efficiencies to be gained by collaborative partnerships. In today’s world, problems are really complex – you need a team to deal with them. If we can get the right people working on the right problems, and communicating so they really understand each other, we’ll have a fantastic future.

How does this manifest itself in what your department does and what are your objectives?  

As Chair of the Department of Animal Bioscience, my vision is to pioneer innovative solutions at the intersection of biology, agriculture, and technology. Through rigorous research and robust education, we aim to optimize animal health and performance while minimizing environmental impact. We strive for excellence in animal welfare, genetic improvement, nutrition, and sustainable animal management practices. 

With all the challenges surrounding animal science and academia in Canada, I fundamentally believe we have to inspire people to be ethical, knowledgeable and think critically when making and communicating decisions. It’s our job here at the university to research what could be the next bold step towards our future, but without input from the industry and stakeholders, we will not be equipped to make optimal decisions. 

With respect to research, our focus is on the really complex issues. In the past, incremental improvements in production efficiency were enough, but that doesn’t cut it anymore. My vision is department members engaging in critical conversations about the wicked challenges that impact agriculture, seeking multi- and interdisciplinary approaches to research and leveraging the expertise we have across the department and beyond to address those issues. 

We have to challenge convention and how we have done things in the past and view the obstacles as opportunities. Every problem is the chance to have a fantastic idea, and we must engage stakeholders and be eye-level partners to move forward together. 

There are issues, they are difficult, and they need to be addressed. Rural Canada depends on it, literally. 

In an ideal world, what would the department and the livestock industry look like in five or 10 years?  

We have an incredibly important role to play in shaping the future of food, agriculture, communities and the environment in Ontario, Canada, and the rest of the world.  In an ideal world, the Department of Animal Biosciences and the livestock industry would prioritize animal welfare, sustainable practices, and technological innovation, reinvigorating animal agriculture as a truly essential component of food security. 

Livestock production would be characterized by humane treatment, reduced environmental impact, and optimized health and nutrition. Transparency, communication with consumers and the wider public (i.e. non-consumers) should foster trust, while global collaborations drive continuous improvement. 

We need to find a good balance between ethical considerations, environmental stewardship, and economic viability, ensuring a thriving and responsible livestock industry supported by cutting-edge scientific research.

This article was first published in the May 2024 edition of Ontario Beef.