Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj is delighted with the recent announcement regarding an expansion at the Elora Research Station.
The University of Guelph recently broke ground on its new Livestock Innovation Centre for dairy research on the 2nd Line East in Centre Wellington.
“It’s enormous in size and has the potential to expand into something that is very exciting … especially if it attracts other agricultural industries such as swine or chickens. This could become a North American centre for excellence in research,” said Ross-Zuj.
The $25-million project is part of the University of Guelph’s Elora Research Station, which will replace aging facilities with a new station that will expand the university’s livestock research capacities.
The project involves construction of an estimated 175,000 square feet of barns, manure tanks and staff and office facilities.
Built to be a world-class research facility, the new centre will address research and education needs of the dairy industry.
Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) noted the new centre will help ensure Ontarians continue to receive high-quality dairy products that consumers demand. Some of the key research priorities include genomics and feed optimization to improve milk production.
The Ontario government pledged $20 million towards the project, and DFO has committed $5 million. The new research centre will also serve as an important resource for area dairy farmers. Currently, there are 4,000 dairy farms in Wellington County, representing about 10 per cent of Ontario’s dairy producers.
The new research centre is expected to be completed by fall of 2014.
Mayor Ross-Zuj encouraged members of council to drive out to see the project.
