The Ontario government has announced an investment of more than $41 million over four years to build and revitalize Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) infrastructure, a move aimed at supporting farmers, boosting competitiveness, and driving innovation across the province’s agri-food sector.
The investment, part of Ontario’s broader plan to protect and strengthen the province’s food systems, is designed to give farmers access to cutting-edge research and technology. The initiative comes as farmers face growing pressures from global competition and new U.S. tariffs.
“Our government is taking action to protect Ontario’s agri-food sector, and we are proud to support farmers and business owners,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Through investments in research and innovation, we are ensuring farmers and business owners have the best solutions to remain competitive against tariffs and ensure families can continue to buy high-quality, Ontario-made food with pride.”
Strengthening Ontario’s Research Network
A key component of the funding includes $10.5 million for the new Ontario Poultry Research Centre at the Elora Research Station. The facility will serve Ontario’s 1,200 chicken and turkey producers and 432 egg farmers, focusing on animal welfare, reproduction, meat quality, and safety. The province had already committed $13.5 million to the project, bringing the total provincial investment to $24 million.
The new centre is one of several ARIO facilities to benefit from this round of investment. The province will also allocate $15.5 million to the new Ontario Feed Innovation Centre, also located at Elora, which will focus on nutritional research for swine, poultry, small ruminants, and aquaculture. Additional funds will support repairs and upgrades across the ARIO network, including improvements to the Dairy Education Centre at the Ridgetown campus, ensuring the continuation of leading-edge research to benefit farmers and agribusinesses across Ontario.
“For more than 60 years, ARIO has been providing the spaces and places where agri-food research and innovation happens in Ontario,” said Nevin McDougall, Board Chair of ARIO. “We are pleased the Ontario government is investing to revitalize ARIO infrastructure. This investment will not only build on ARIO’s world-class research platform but will also enable stronger research capacity to support a competitive and sustainable agri-food sector; a pillar of Ontario’s economy.”
Building Capacity and Competitiveness
ARIO, an agency of the provincial government, owns and manages Ontario’s network of 14 research station properties — spanning 5,600 acres and more than 200 buildings — dedicated to advancing agri-food innovation in key areas such as livestock, greenhouse production, aquaculture, soil health, and field crops.
The investments support the province’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which aims to ensure Ontario remains a global leader in agricultural productivity, sustainability, and technology adoption.
Murray Opsteen, Board Chair of Chicken Farmers of Ontario, welcomed the funding for the new poultry facility. “We are grateful to the Ontario government for its increased investment in the Ontario Poultry Research and Innovation Centre,” said Opsteen. “This support will strengthen our ability to manage risk and prevent disease, while also opening new doors to enhance on-farm efficiencies, advance sustainable practices, and introduce cutting-edge technologies to benefit Ontario’s poultry sector.”
Collaboration Between Industry and Academia
Ontario’s agricultural research infrastructure is closely linked with the University of Guelph, which operates 13 of the ARIO centres through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance — a partnership between the university, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and ARIO. The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre manages the remaining property.
“The University of Guelph is proud to partner with the province and the agri-food sector to lead the development of more than $200 million in research infrastructure over the past 15 years,” said Dr. Rene Van Acker, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guelph. “As operators, stewards and primary users of these ARIO facilities, U of G puts this infrastructure to work for industry — supporting producers, serving agribusinesses, and driving innovation. This investment will continue to build resilience, improve productivity, strengthen competitiveness, and ensure Ontario’s agri-food sector remains a global leader.”
Ontario Pork also praised the government’s focus on feed research. “Ontario Pork commends OMAFA, the Government of Ontario and ARIO for their continued commitment to research and innovation through the new Ontario Feed Innovation Centre,” said Tara Terpstra, Board Chair of Ontario Pork. “The Centre will be a welcome complement to the Ontario Swine Research Centre, and Ontario’s agri-food sector.”
Supporting Ontario’s Dairy Industry
In addition to bolstering research facilities, the province’s investment will help modernize the Dairy Education Centre at Ridgetown, a vital training hub for students pursuing agricultural careers.
“Dairy Farmers of Ontario supports the announcement on investment for repairs and upgrades to the Dairy Education Centre at Ridgetown and would like to thank OMAFA and Minister Trevor Jones,” said Mark Hamel, Board Chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario. “As the largest sector of Ontario agriculture, the dairy industry supports more than 89,000 jobs and contributes nearly $8.5 billion to Ontario’s GDP. Last year alone dairy farmers shipped more than 3.1 billion litres of milk from over 3,100 farms across the province. This investment supports the Dairy Education Centre’s continued delivery of high-quality dairy education and training in Ontario for students interested in a career in Ontario agriculture.”
A Boost for Jobs and Growth
According to the Ministry, the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance supports more than 1,500 jobs and contributes $1.4 billion annually to Ontario’s GDP. The announcement also coincides with Ontario Agriculture Week, celebrated from October 6–12, recognizing the farmers, processors, and distributors who provide fresh, local food for Ontarians.
Through its renewed investment in research infrastructure, the province is positioning Ontario’s agri-food sector for long-term growth, resilience, and global competitiveness — ensuring that innovation remains at the heart of Ontario’s agricultural future.
