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The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) says the asparagus available in stores now is the first real sign that Ontario's local food season is underway. Ontario is Canada’s leading asparagus producing region, and most Ontario asparagus grows in Norfolk County.

Asparagus is produced in multiple varieties developed for Canadian growing conditions, and the crop has also been optimized to improve yields in the face of unpredictable weather. Many farms grow modern, all-male hybrid varieties like Millennium asparagus, developed at the University of Guelph.

The University of Guelph has appointed Dr. Mazyar Fallah as vice-president (research and innovation). Currently dean of the College of Biological Science, he brings extensive experience in research leadership, partnerships and advancing interdisciplinary collaboration across the University.

Ontario farmers rely on tile drainage to manage stormwater and improve productivity on cropland. But as pressure mounts on agriculture from population growth, climate-driven water scarcity and a general strain on food systems, University of Guelph researcher Dr.

Through a unique research project funded in part by the Alliance, an Ontario Agricultural College undergraduate is contributing new insights into soybean health and productivity. Peyton Nailor has uncovered a new approach to improve crop health through her work in Dr. Hugh Earl’s lab. “By doing this research, we can more precisely characterize deficiency responses, link visual and physiological symptoms to specific nutrients, and improve diagnostic accuracy in field settings.” she explains.

Decades after navigating the commercialization process for the first time, University of Guelph professor Dr. Bonnie Mallard reflects on how industry partnerships and commercialization programming help bring new ideas to the global market.

The journey of High Immune Response (HIR) technology from idea to commercial impact took decades and relied on a portfolio of funding and services to bring the multi-million-dollar idea to market. 

Known for his dedication to teaching, research, and community engagement, delivered his final lecture in April. Throughout his career, Weersink blended real farm experience with academic insight. Raised on a family farm, he brought a practical understanding of agriculture into classrooms and research projects. Read more on Farms.com: Alfons Weersink- From Farm Roots to Academic Excellence.

Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi, a dry bean breeder and computational biologist in U of G's Ontario Agricultural College, says drones have become increasingly common in Canadian farming as technology evolves and improves.

In some industries, a cybersecurity professional has about an hour to prevent significant business damage. Farmers, however, might have just 15 minutes, the U of G professor and Canada Research Chair in Cybersecurity and Threat Intelligence has learned.

“”We found if we are not responding within that time,” he says, “hackers could cause a power outage in the farm, which could cause livestock to die.”

The team, which is mentored by a U of G professor and two industry volunteers, finished in second place at the 2026 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge. Read the story on the Department of Animal Biosciences website: U of G Success at Dairy Challenge Competition

Industry stakeholders gathered at the debut Canadian Freshwater Aquaculture Conference, where they discussed collaboration in the industry and how to shape the future of aquaculture. The conference, held in Huntsville, Ont., builds on the legacy of over 40 years of the Ontario Aquaculture Conference, which had increasingly drawn people from across the country. Read the coverage in Aquaculture North America: Inaugural Canadian Freshwate