Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


University of Guelph aims to improve relationship with Ontario's agriculture community

Friday, January 15, 2016

by SUSAN MANN

The University of Guelph is working to improve its relationship with the agricultural community and long-time supporters in Ontario, says Malcolm Campbell, vice-president of research.

“I know the relationship that we’ve had in recent years has not been a stellar one and it’s one that we’re looking to improve right across the province by working together with communities,” he told delegates at the Dairy Farmers of Ontario annual meeting Wednesday in Toronto. “I hope you see a difference in years to come.”

Delegate Paul Henderson said during a question period he feels the university had lost its way and now he feels it’s “coming back home to the farm.”

Campbell told meeting participants the university’s new leadership team is involved in developing a new vision for the university, and what is emerging from that process is the importance of the agri-food sector.

The last time the university developed a strategic plan was 1995, Campbell said. “We were well over-due” to devise a new one.

The university of Guelph is the only university in Ontario that has a focus on agriculture and that “runs through the DNA of our particular institution,” he said. “It goes back to our founding colleges, the Ontario Agricultural College, Ontario Veterinary College and Macdonald Institute and also to when the university was formally founded in 1964.”

Henderson, a member of the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario, which advises the provincial agriculture minister on strategic directions for research, said he realizes a critical mass is needed “for students to enjoy the university or college experience.”

However, “I really didn’t like the fact that Kemptville College was closed,” he noted. And “I do think it will lead to a lot of people in eastern Ontario being unable to” get the college experience.

The college was operated by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as an agricultural college until 1997 when the campus operations and delivery of academic and skills training programs were transferred to the university. In March 2014, the university announced it was closing the college due to low enrolment, inefficient program delivery, aging buildings and low research output.

Henderson also stressed the importance of eastern Ontario to the province. There are far fewer farmers in the region now than when Kemptville College began in 1917 but “I don’t think we should forget eastern Ontario is down there and is still an important part of Ontario.” BF

Current Issue

September 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Canadian Farmers Face Weaker Soybean Yields Ahead

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Statistics Canada forecasts that Canadian soybean production will decline in 2025, reflecting weaker yields across major producing provinces. Nationally, output is projected to fall by 7.3% year over year to 7.0 million tonnes. The decline is linked to a drop in yields, which are expected... Read this article online

Canadian Corn Outlook Shows Mixed Regional Trends

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Statistics Canada projects Canadian corn-for-grain production to grow slightly in 2025, despite drier-than-normal weather and high temperatures that have pressured yields. National production is forecast to rise 1.4% year over year to 15.6 million tonnes. This gain comes from higher... Read this article online

Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online

Scouting and Managing Resistant Weeds in Ontario

Monday, September 1, 2025

As the growing season winds down, now is an ideal time for Ontario farmers to assess the effectiveness of their weed control strategies and prepare for the next growing year. Dr. Holly Byker, Agronomy Manager at the Ontario Crop Research Centre in Winchester, emphasizes the importance... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top