Bridging the gap between research and farming

 

LRIC initiatives equip early career scientists with on-farm experience and industry networks

By Lilian Schaer 

This fall marks the start of the fifth cohort of a unique mentorship program for early career scientists at the University of Guelph to introduce them to Ontario’s livestock industry. 

“When young researchers launch their academic careers, their training has usually emphasized technical skills, data analysis, and publishing papers. What it often doesn’t include, however, is a close connection to the people their work ultimately serves: livestock farmers,” says Kelly Somerville, CEO of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC), the organization behind the program.

It was that reality that prompted LRIC to launch its Early Career Mentorship Program faculty mentorship program in 2021. A year later, it was supplemented with an innovative, industry-supported research award for graduates of the mentorship program. 

The mission of both initiatives is to give new scientists a stronger understanding of agriculture, the issues farmers face, and the realities of modern livestock production. The goal is simple: help researchers ask better questions, design more relevant projects, and build the long-term relationships between farmers and scientists needed to deliver real solutions with real value on-farm.

A mentorship experience rooted in farming reality

Dr. Kelsey Spence, an assistant professor in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, knows firsthand how impactful this experience can be. 

She joined the university faculty in 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, and learned about the mentorship program through OVC’s dean, Dr. Jeff Wichtel. Once in-person opportunities returned, she jumped at the chance to take part in the new initiative. 
Spence’s research focuses on biosecurity and the complex reasons why farmers and animal owners choose to implement or not implement recommended practices. 

Her projects span many species, from equine, sheep, and goats to cattle, dogs, and cats. According to Spence, the questions are the same across species: why do people do what they do, and how can researchers support better adoption of practices that are designed to keep animals healthy and productive. 

Because her background is primarily in equine health and epidemiology, Spence says the LRIC mentorship program was invaluable. 

“I didn’t know what to expect on that first farm visit, but it was such a good learning experience,” she recalls. “Seeing the variety of farms and getting to meet and speak directly with farmers gave me a much better understanding of how broad agriculture is in Ontario and of the many challenges and opportunities the sector faces.”

It was those first-hand experiences and face-to-face interactions that highlighted why biosecurity adoption isn’t always straightforward. 

“When you see the day-to-day reality of a working farm, you understand how complex it is, and how much is constantly going on that puts demands on farmers’ time,” she explains. “That context is critical for designing practical, effective strategies.”

Building networks for future research

Beyond the farm visits and science communications training, the mentorship provided something equally valuable: connections. LRIC’s team, including Director of Operations, Jean Howden, and former CEO Mike McMorris, has played a pivotal role in linking Spence to people across the livestock industry. 

For a researcher who spends much of her time in front of a computer, building those industry relationships and having the chance to ask questions directly to farmers and sector leaders were some of the most important takeaways from her mentorship experience. 

Recognizing early career excellence

Spence’s contributions and potential were recognized this spring when she was named one of two winners of LRIC’s Early Career Researcher Award, which provides direct support to help promising young scientists to advance their research programs in ways that benefit Ontario’s livestock sector. 

The $100,000 award is funded by LRIC, Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS), Western Fair Association (WFA), Ontario Agricultural College and Ontario Veterinary College to encourage cross-sectoral and cross-disciplinary approaches to livestock research.

“LRIC’s support has been instrumental,” Spence says. “The mentorship program gave me real-world context, and the award is helping me build projects that are grounded in the needs of farmers. Together, they’ve made a big difference in how I approach my work.”

Strengthening the link between research and industry

Programs like the early faculty mentorship and early career researcher award underline LRIC’s commitment to ensuring research doesn’t happen in a vacuum. By fostering stronger connections between scientists and farmers early in their careers, LRIC is helping ensure tomorrow’s research is relevant, practical, and impactful across Ontario’s beef and broader livestock industries.

For Spence, the experience has been transformative. 

“I really enjoyed going to the farms—that was one of the most beneficial aspects, especially coming from outside an agriculture background. It’s something every researcher should have the chance to do,” she says.