Ontario researcher earns international award for heightened immune response detection technology Friday, November 8, 2013 contributed photo: Bonnie Mallard, centre, and her team that developed technology to identify cattle with heightened immune response to disease by SUSAN MANN Technology developed by University of Guelph researcher Bonnie Mallard and her team to help identify cattle with a heightened immune response to diseases has won one of 10 Dairy Innovation Awards at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin. Mallard, an immunogeneticist at the university’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) department of pathobiology, says the awards are handed out annually for new technologies “that they think are game changers.” The purpose of her technology, called High Immune Response, is to select cattle for disease resistance. Mallard says she was thrilled when she found out her technology won an award. “I think it’s the dream of every researcher to take some fundamental idea and do the basic research and then the applied research and then the market research. We’ve done all of that here.” The University of Guelph owns the technology and last year issued an exclusive license to the Semex Alliance to identify bulls with “superior immunity.” Semex’s High Immune Response sires are known as Immunity + bulls. Mallard says her lab does the blood and skin measurement test for Semex on their dairy and beef bulls. But the test can also be used for females, calves and mature animals. It can even be used for pigs. There’s a genetic basis to the immune system and if “there is a defect there are serious disease consequences,” notes Mallard. It’s very rewarding to see her work being used by the industry, she says. Mallard says her innovation is also good for consumers because “healthy animals produce better and safer dairy products. It’s based on an individual cow’s natural ability to make an immune response so we’re not using genetic modifications.” BF New Chatham farm show highlights regional producers FCC makes best employers' list - again
Fall Herbicide Tips for Strong Weed Control Thursday, September 25, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, Ontario crop specialists are reminding Ontario farmers of the importance of fall herbicide applications to control perennial weeds in corn, soybean, and wheat fields. Timely treatments in the autumn can reduce weed populations by over... Read this article online
Ontario Farmers Considering more Drainage Investments to Adapt to Climate Change Monday, September 22, 2025 Farmers from Southwestern Ontario gathered at the Great Ontario Yield Tour event in Woodstock held a panel discussion, moderated by Steve Denys from Maizex Seeds, to chat about practical ways to increase corn, soybean, and wheat yields in the future, based on this year’s corn and soybean... Read this article online
Augusta Van Muyen selected as the 67th Grape King Friday, September 19, 2025 Grape Growers of Ontario and Farm Credit Canada have announced that Lincoln vineyard manager Augusta Van Muyen has been chosen by her peers as the 2025-2026 Grape King. Currently, the vineyard manager at Tawse Winery, Van Muyen, followed a path to success that took her across Ontario and the... Read this article online
Empowering the Next Generation -- Scholarship Opportunity for Agriculture Students Friday, September 19, 2025 Are you a student studying agriculture with a passion for leadership, innovation, and making a difference in the agri-food sector? The Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference (AWC) East 2025 is offering an incredible opportunity for students to attend this transformative event through... Read this article online
Celebrating Tradition and Skill - The Art of the Plowing Match Friday, September 19, 2025 Plowing matches are more than just agricultural contests—they’re a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and community. These events bring together farmers, enthusiasts, and spectators to witness the age-old skill of turning soil with precision and pride.TheInternational Plowing Match &... Read this article online