News release: New sources of timely, credible information for livestock industry

LRIC releases resources to help get research into practice

For immediate release

Guelph ON, 5 January 2023 – A new library of podcasts, videos and webinars designed to help the livestock industry get research and innovation information directly to the farm is now available. Released by Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) with the help of Poultry Industry Council and faculty members from the University of Guelph, the resources were developed for and with farmers to make it easier to get research into practice (known as GRIP for short). 

“We know it’s important for farmers to have access to timely and credible information that will help them make the best possible decisions in how to manage their farms and raise their livestock,” says LRIC CEO Mike McMorris. “Ontario is home to a lot of cutting-edge livestock research, and we’ve developed these new resources to make it easier for the knowledge generated by that research to get into the hands of farmers so it can support the ongoing strength and sustainability of our livestock sector.” 

A series of more than 20 producer perspective videos showcases farmers from a variety of livestock sectors, the challenges they face in their businesses, where they get innovation ideas, how they think researchers can best support driving adoption of innovation on the farm, and what advice they have for early career researchers about working with farmers and the agriculture sector.

The videos are complemented by the GRIP podcast series that features 10 interviews with researchers and industry leaders on their work with innovation and getting research into practice and their experiences with which approaches work and which do not. 

LRIC’s Horizon Series of webinars delves into the big topics facing agriculture, ranging from regenerative agriculture and genomics to social license and livestock and soil health. Each webinar, approximately 20 minutes long, features a known expert in that field and is accompanied by a white paper that provides additional credible information. To date, 12 topics have been covered; all webinars, white papers and a one-minute “On the Fly” summary are available on the LRIC website. 

“The livestock sector is a key pillar of our economy and also plays a critical role in the environment and our food security, and it’s important that we all work together to advance the industry and help farmers be successful,” adds McMorris.  

This research project was funded through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the University of Guelph. 

Established in 2012 with support from Ontario’s beef, pork, dairy and poultry sector organizations and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Livestock Research Innovation Corporation’s mission is driving innovation. 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. 

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For more information: 
Mike McMorris, LRIC CEO, 519-766-5464