Seeking better
CEO Commentary by Mike McMorris
We hear a lot about innovation in agriculture these days. Livestock producers are being told they need to innovate to reduce their environmental footprint, to compete against new (plant and cellular agriculture based) products, to improve animal welfare and to increase productivity. By definition, innovation is making change. You may have noticed, however, that the status quo carries a high inertia. Change must be deliberate and well thought out. Having clear objectives and a plan to reach them are key to success.
Ontario’s livestock innovation system was recently assessed by our International Research Advisory Committee with elements including: funding, research priorities, project management getting research into practice (GRIP) and commercialization. Survey results from LRIC member organizations as well as 53 University of Guelph faculty helped inform the committee discussions. Their report is concise by design and brings clear focus to the need for more collaboration between industry, government and academia. You will find their report here.
The coming year will see the committee focus on two areas with great potential: developing a new process of setting research priorities and a new model of getting research into practice.
