Ontario is marking the start of construction on the new Ontario Poultry Research Centre as part of its continued investment in Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO) infrastructure. Supported by the government's investment of over $24 million, the new poultry research centre will support over 1,500 chicken and turkey producers and 500 egg and pullet farmers through agri-food research focused on animal welfare, reproduction, nutrition, meat quality and food safety.
"We're delivering on our commitment to protect Ontario's poultry farmers by supporting the Ontario Poultry Research Centre, which will equip more than 2,000 chicken, turkey, and egg farmers with the tools they need to address real-world challenges and seize new opportunities," said Sam Oosterhoff, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. "In the face of unprovoked tariffs, investments like this will help strengthen Ontario's food security, sovereignty and self-sufficiency while supporting a more competitive and resilient agri-food sector."
The new research centre will support farmers and producers across Ontario by advancing research into animal nutrition, behaviour, genetics, biosecurity, production costs, health and welfare. The facility will include dedicated research areas for layers and pullets, broilers and hatcheries, as well as specialized and commercial research wings. Designed to support a wide range of research disciplines, the facility is expected to be completed by summer 2028 and will support more than 220 construction jobs.
Construction on the Poultry Research Centre follows the province's previously announced $24 million investment through ARIO, alongside contributions from the four poultry industry feather boards. The project also received $250,000 through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support a portion of the design phase.
Together, these investments are helping protect Ontario's food supply, strengthen food sovereignty and drive economic growth by delivering the research and innovation needed to keep the province's agri-food sector competitive and resilient.
Quick Facts
- The new research centre is a partnership between the Government of Ontario through ARIO, the poultry sector's four industry feather boards, including Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission and Turkey Farmers of Ontario and the University of Guelph, ensuring producers have access to world-class research and innovation that improves productivity, enhances resiliency and keeps the sector competitive.
- ARIO, an agency of the Government of Ontario, owns the province's network of strategic agri-food research infrastructure, including 14 research station properties, with 5,600 acres and over 200 buildings. The University of Guelph operates 13 of these research centres through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and ARIO, while the remaining property is managed by Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.
- Ontario is celebrating its 28th annual Agriculture Week from October 5-11, 2026. Join us in thanking the farmers, processors and distributors who put food on our tables every day.
- The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Canada's agriculture, agri-food sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment for cost-shared programs delivered by provinces and territories.
Quotes
"We thank the Government of Ontario for investing in the infrastructure that allows U of G to put its research expertise to work for Ontario's agri-food sector. The Ontario Poultry Research Centre will bring researchers, producers and industry together to turn research into practical solutions that strengthen productivity and resilience, support greater food security and self-reliance, and help secure Ontario's food future and sovereignty."
- Dr. Rene Van Acker, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Guelph
"Research infrastructure plays an important role in providing the capacity to meet today's needs while preparing for those still to come. The Ontario Poultry Research Centre will expand Ontario's research capacity and help advance new knowledge, technologies and practices that support an innovative and resilient poultry sector."
- Nevin McDougall, Chair, Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario
"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
"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
"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 and 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
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