Ontario invests $24 million in new poultry research centre in Elora
Ontario is building a dedicated research facility to support more than 2,000 poultry and egg farmers through studies on animal welfare, nutrition, and food safety.
Govgrant newsroomOctober 28, 2026 · 2 min read
- Funding
- $24 million from Ontario government through ARIO
- Who can benefit
- Over 1,500 chicken and turkey producers; 500 egg and pullet farmers
- Location
- Elora, Ontario
- Expected completion
- Summer 2028
- Research focus
- Animal welfare, nutrition, genetics, biosecurity, health, reproduction, meat quality, food safety
- Partners
- Ontario government, University of Guelph, four poultry industry feather boards
What was announced
Ontario has broken ground on the Ontario Poultry Research Centre in Elora, a facility designed to address challenges facing the province's poultry sector. The project is backed by more than $24 million in provincial funding through Agricultural Research and Innovation Ontario (ARIO), with additional support from the four poultry industry feather boards and $250,000 from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership for the design phase.
The centre will conduct research into animal nutrition, behaviour, genetics, biosecurity, production costs, health and welfare. It will feature dedicated research areas for layers and pullets, broilers and hatcheries, as well as specialised and commercial research wings. The facility is expected to be completed by summer 2028 and will support over 220 construction jobs during the building phase.
Who will benefit
The research centre will serve more than 1,500 chicken and turkey producers alongside 500 egg and pullet farmers across Ontario. The facility aims to equip these producers with tools and research findings to address real-world operational challenges and identify new business opportunities.
How the partnership works
The project brings together the Ontario government through ARIO, the University of Guelph, and four poultry industry feather boards: Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Egg Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Broiler Hatching Egg and Chick Commission, and Turkey Farmers of Ontario. According to the University of Guelph president, the centre will "bring researchers, producers and industry together to turn research into practical solutions that strengthen productivity and resilience."
What this means for Ontario's poultry sector
The investment reflects Ontario's focus on strengthening food security and self-sufficiency while supporting a more competitive agricultural sector. By housing world-class research infrastructure in the province, the centre will enable farmers and researchers to work collaboratively on issues ranging from disease prevention to on-farm efficiency improvements.
Frequently asked questions
Can my poultry operation access research from this centre?
The source states the centre will support over 2,000 chicken, turkey, and egg farmers but does not specify how individual farms will access services or research findings. Contact the Ontario Poultry Research Centre or ARIO for details on how to participate.
When will the research centre be operational?
Construction is underway, with the facility expected to be completed by summer 2028.
What specific research areas will the centre focus on?
The centre will advance research into animal nutrition, behaviour, genetics, biosecurity, production costs, health and welfare, with dedicated facilities for layers and pullets, broilers and hatcheries, and specialised and commercial research wings.
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