University of Guelph soybean breeder Istvan Rajcan received the NAPB Public Sector Impact Award for his global contributions to soybean genetics, including 87 cultivars and extensive mentorship in the field.
The Ontario Agricultural College community is saddened by the passing of Peter Hannam (OAC ’62), a visionary leader in Canadian agriculture who helped transform soybeans into a major crop in Ontario. He was 85.
A strong agri-food system begins with strong, resilient communities—and supporting rural Ontarians is at the heart of a new gift to U of G’s Ontario Agricultural College (OAC). The $1.65 million gift from the McCall MacBain Foundation will support a data-driven initiative led by Dr. Leith Deacon that aims to improve the health and well-being of rural communities across Ontario, with plans to expand data collection and impact throughout Canada.
The U of G’s Ridgetown Campus is pleased to announce the appointment of Ted Vanhie as the new Technical Foreperson at the Ontario Crops Research Centre at Huron. Vanhie will oversee all activities at the 61-hectare facility, managing day-to-day operations and maximizing the Centre's research programming, supporting faculty led and external research at the site.
Climate change is reshaping farmland - influencing crop yields, water availability, overall productivity and land values. Understanding these changes is crucial for farmers, policymakers, and economists alike. Two recent graduates of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) have published their research in the Journal of Land Economics, exploring the impact that climate change might have on farmland values – the results are surprising.
Pursuing your master’s degree can be daunting. For MSc student Kendra Gillett, completing her graduate degree was a journey in professional and personal development. Kendra is about to launch her career as a Dairy Sales Technology Specialist and credits her growth to her thesis-based master’s degree. Read Kendra’s OAC graduate student story below:
The OAC community mourns the passing of James ‘Jim’ McIntosh, who passed away on April 12, 2025.
Jim grew up on a farm in Tuckersmith Township and was a proud graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph, earning his BSc in 1959 and a master’s degree in Poultry Nutrition in 1961. After graduation, Jim and his wife Brenda returned to his family farm, where they built a life rooted in agriculture and community service.
Leslie Huffman Balsillie, a proud alumna of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), has been inducted into the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame, becoming the third generation of her family to receive this prestigious honour—a rare achievement that speaks to a deep-rooted legacy in agricultural excellence.
The 31st annual induction ceremony was held last month, where Huffman Balsillie joined fellow inductees Murray McLeod and Robert Repko. Her nomination highlighted a career marked by passion, innovation, and service to Ontario’s fruit industry and agricultural community.
Congratulations to UofG's Dairy Challenge team that competed in the 2025 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge this week in Gainesville, Florida. Our team did UofG proud with a first-place finish!