Ontario Farmers Take Part in Groundbreaking for New Poultry Research Centre
ELORA, ON – Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO), Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO), Turkey Farmers of Ontario (TFO), and the Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission (OBHECC) are pleased to recognize the official groundbreaking for the new Ontario Poultry Research and Innovation Centre in Elora.
The milestone marks an important step forward for a project that will strengthen Ontario’s position as a leader in poultry research and innovation. In 2023, Ontario’s four feather boards formalized an agreement with the Ontario government, through Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), and the University of Guelph to develop the new facility.
Through this agreement, the project is funded in partnership between Ontario’s four feather boards and the Ontario government. The feather boards thank the Ontario government for its significant investment in the project, including an additional $10.5 million announced in 2025, bringing the province’s total commitment to $24 million.
Ontario’s four feather boards operate under the responsible supply management system. The supply management system provides stability and predictability and supports poultry farmers in making long-term investments in research, innovation, and continuous improvement. This collaborative investment reflects the sector’s commitment to building on that strong foundation and ensuring Ontario’s poultry sector remains resilient for generations to come.
Once complete, the Ontario Poultry Research and Innovation Centre will support leading research in areas including productivity, sustainability, animal welfare, food safety, and disease prevention. The facility will help ensure Ontario poultry farmers continue to benefit from science-based research and innovation while supporting a resilient agriculture and agri-food sector.
CFO, EFO, TFO, and OBHECC look forward to continuing their work with ARIO, the University of Guelph, and the Ontario government as construction begins on the new facility.
Quotes
“This groundbreaking is an exciting milestone for Ontario’s poultry sector and the result of years of collaboration and shared commitment. This new facility will give farmers and researchers access to world-class research right here in Ontario, helping us manage risk, prevent disease, and improve on-farm efficiency. On behalf of Ontario’s feather boards, I want to thank the Ontario government, ARIO, and the University of Guelph for their continued partnership and investment in the future the Ontario poultry sector.”
Murray Opsteen, Chair, Chicken Farmers of Ontario
“EFO is grateful for the provincial government’s significant commitment to build a brand new, state of the art Poultry Research Centre in Elora. Together with the Four Feather Boards, we look forward to having a facility that alongside academia, we can pursue research that is strategically aligned with our vision for continuous improvement, adopting new technologies and science-based best practices. This research is critical to ensuring food security for Ontarians.”
Scott Helps, Chair, Egg Farmers of Ontario
“In partnership with Ontario’s feather boards, the Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg & Chick Commission is proud to celebrate a major milestone for our poultry sector. We sincerely thank the Ontario Government, ARIO, and the University of Guelph for their support in building the new Poultry Research Centre. Together, this collaboration drives the innovation and research necessary to strengthen the future of the Ontario poultry industry”.
William Bearss, Chair, Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission
“For Ontario’s turkey farmers, this new facility represents an important investment into research that can be applied directly onto their farms. By advancing work in flock health, animal welfare, sustainability, and emerging technologies, the facility will help farmers adapt to new challenges, enhance how we raise turkeys, and continue providing safe, high-quality turkey products for Ontario families. We are proud to partner in a project that will strengthen our sector for years to come.”
James Schlegel, Chair, Turkey Farmers of Ontario
