Research | Ontario Pork • Ontario Pork - Active Research

Active Research

Ontario Pork has a call for research proposals once a year. These projects were approved for funding by the board on recommendation of the research committee. If you have questions or need further information about the research posted here please contact Jessica Fox at [email protected]

Active Research

Aptamer-based multiplex sensing of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea

Project 24-04 - Maria DeRosa, Carleton University

This project proposes the development of an easy-to-use paper-based sensor for the rapid detection of PRRSv and PEDv.

Development of boar taint detection kits for use in commercial packing plants; phase II

Project 24-03 - Maria DeRosa, Carleton University

This research project includes the second phase of this aptamer based boar taint detection technology: optimizing a test kit and validating it against a control assay (ELISA), including with new samples provided by University of Guelph and Conestoga Meat Packers.

An investigation of risk factors for increased sow mortality in Canadian herds, and identification of potential mitigation strategies

Project 24-02 - Yolande Seddon, University of Saskatchewan

This project will investigate relationships between increased mortality rates and causes to environmental, management, and individual sow risk factors, to identify risk factors involved. Based on this, advice will be compiled on potential strategies for reducing mortality and relate the broad...

Sow mortality in Ontario: A comprehensive study to assess trends and to identify risk factors

Project 24-01 - Terri O’Sullivan, University of Guelph

This project will directly address Ontario Pork's research objective to understanding and addressing sow mortality on Ontario swine farms.

Development of an in vitro / in vivo correlation method to assess the efficiency of oral drug release from oral medications in swine - Phase 1b: Restoring drug release

Project 21-05 - Dr. Jerome del Castillo

Water Holding Capacity of feedstuffs should help refining the formulation of porcine medicated feeds to preserve the therapeutic efficacy of the dietary drugs.

Ultrasonographic determination of chemical composition and physical properties of meat in fattener pigs

Project 21-04 - Dr. Pawel Bartlewski

Project examines relationships between the physical and chemical properties of the pigs' latissimus dorsi and semimembranosus muscles, and quantitative characteristics of their corresponding ultrasound images determined with the use of commercially available image analytical software...

Development of an in vitro / in vivo correlation method to assess the efficiency of oral drug release from oral medications in swine - Phase 2: Water medication

Project 21-03 - Dr. Jerome del Castillo

Phase 2: Water medication. Project extends the range of tested feedstuffs to those used in the manufacturing of early (1st, 2nd) and late (3rd, 4th) phase weaner diets, determine their abilities to bind the drug molecules of water medications for weaner pigs, and determine the reversibility of...

Improvement of feed efficiency in Canadian swine industry through genomics and machine learning

Project 21-01 - Dr. Younes Miar

Feed is the largest cost of pork production in Canada and therefore improving feed efficiency (FE) is essential to boost the Canadian pig producer profitability. Additionally, improving FE increases industry competitiveness, decreases demand on global feed resources, and complements...

Project 20-09 - Zvonimir Poljak, University of Guelph

The overall objective is to construct a simulation model that will estimate production impact of disruption in swine marketing in Ontario and propose mitigation strategies that could minimize impact of such disruptions on swine populations and swine producers.

Improving post-weaning performance of nursery pigs through a feeding system designed to be compatible with normal weaned pig feeding behavior

Project 20-007 - Dr. Tim Blackwell, OMAFRA

This project will imitate multiple hand feedings by adding a special controller to the standard Rondomat nursery feeder. Closely approximating natural feeding behaviour improves piglet vigour after weaning and reduces the need for antimicrobials.

Direct Pen Ventilation Retrofit for Nursery Rooms

Project 20-005 - John van de Vegte, OMAFRA

This project will demonstrate an innovative ventilation system which fundamentally changes how nursery rooms are ventilated throughout the year. The system concept provides fresh, temperature controlled air directly into the pens where the pigs live. Barn gases are expelled from the nursery room...

Beta Prototypes of Improved Euthanasia Chamber to Support Commercialization

Project 20-004 - John van de Vegte, OMAFRA

A prototype of an improved euthanasia chamber for non-viable piglets was developed under Project 18-005. This project is the next phase and intends to fully test chamber for commercial release.

Advancing 4R Nutrient Stewardship for Sustainable Use of Phosphorus from Pig Manure Slurry for Crop Production

Project 20-003 - Dr. Paul Voroney, University of Guelph

Dr. Voroney’s research will clarify the effects of pig slurry OM on the chemistry of soil and fertilizer P and validate Ontario’s current soil P test in soils amended with pig manure slurry.

Development of evidence-based feeding strategies for lactating sows using novel and evolving feeding technologies

Project 20-002 - Dr. Lee-Anne Huber, University of Guelph

Dr. Lee-Anne and team intend to “test improvements” in lactating sow feeding programs and technologies in order to support producers as they consider installing precision feeding technologies for (lactating) sows on-farm.

Evaluation and improvement of Streptococcus suis bacterins

Project 19-006 - Researchers: Dr. Mariela Segura and Dr. Marcelo Gottschalk, University of Montreal

We propose to study and compare the immune response and protection generated by an autogenous vaccine formulated with different adjuvants under controlled conditions using experimental challenge of piglets. An improved vaccine strategy will have an impact on swine health and welfare,...

Molecular characterization of Streptococcus suis isolates recovered from Ontario nursery pigs between 2013 and 2018: Towards development of an effective vaccine

Project 19-005 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Vahab Farzan, University of Guelph

The project will apply these advanced analytical methods to help identify the most important virulence-associated-factors and use this knowledge in an attempt to develop a universal vaccine for S. suis in pigs.

Assessing carcass variability in Ontario pork and the potential to increase returns to producers and improve pork quality

Project 18-003 - Dr. Benjamin Bohrer, University of Guelph

Dr. Bohrer will be the first researcher examining use of an advanced ultrasonic image analyzer (AutoFom III; Denmark) in a commercial Canadian pork facility (Conestoga Meat Processors) for determination of lean yield.

Reliable on farm testing and sampling for mycotoxins destined for feed

Project 18-001- Lead Researcher: Dr. Art Schaafsma, Ridgetown College

Mycotoxins, especially vomitoxin (DON), coming from feed grains, continue to affect swine production in Ontario. Southwestern Ontario is known to be a "hot" region for the production of these toxins because of the moderating effect of the Great Lakes on climate.

Reducing pathogens and greenhouse gas emissions from swine manure using anaerobic digestion

Project 17-006 - Lead Researcher: Dr. Brandon Gilroyed, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus

Pork production contributes about 9% of total manure production in the Canadian livestock sector. During storage and land application manure undergoes natural degradation leading to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane(CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as pollutants such...

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