Beef Farmers of Ontario 2026 Call for Letters of Intent

Sponsor

Beef Farmers of Ontario

Description

Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is excited to announce a call for Letters of Intent (LOI) for research projects that will enhance the sustainability of the beef industry in Ontario. BFO is committing $200,000 per year over the next three years. Following a review of LOIs, selected projects will be asked to provide a full proposal. Please note that projects must be completed by December 31st, 2028.

BFO is fully committed to research and its importance in driving competitiveness and innovation in the Ontario beef sector. The goal of BFO’s Research Program is to increase the development, adaptation, assessment and adoption of on-farm tools and technologies that help beef farmers respond to changing demands. BFO contributes annually to support research initiatives, including our three-year research call. BFO also puts strong emphasis on producer engagement, which often encompasses Knowledge Translation & Transfer.

The BFO Research Committee recently considered both opportunities and challenges facing the industry, as well as current BFO, OMAFA and BCRC research priorities and accomplishments over the past three years. While we are open to all ideas and encourage creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, the committee did identify the following areas, listed in no particular order, as being of particular interest:

1. Animal Health & Welfare
2. Forage & Feed Production
3. Feed Efficiency & Utilization
4. Beef Quality & Food Safety
5. Knowledge Translation & Transfer (KTT)

While KTT is included as a distinct theme with dedicated questions and considerations, it is also embedded across all themes and is recognized as essential to ensuring research investments deliver measurable value to producers and the broader industry. Similarly, understanding the potential economic impacts of research is a critical component of KTT. The 2025-2028 Research Strategy was developed through consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, representing industry, government, producers and academia. The strategy outlines a number of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats within the themes noted above.
 

Funding Availability

$200,000 per year over the next three years

Indirect Costs

20%

Special Notes

Timeline

LOI Review Process

As part of the review process, we will be looking for several key factors within an LOI:

• Does the proposed project address a current challenge or opportunity facing the Ontario beef industry?
• Is the work likely to leverage additional dollars from other sources?
• Is there an opportunity to bring other livestock sectors and/or research institutes into the project (Cross-organizational, cross-institutional and cross-sector collaboration is encouraged)?
• Does your proposal include a strong communications plan for knowledge transfer of your findings and, where possible, an economic analysis of the outcomes?

Attachment(s)

Attachment	Size
2026 BFO Research Call Invitation.pdf	238.09 KB