News and Announcements

It is with regret that we share the passing of our colleague Richard Avery. Richard started in 1991 as an Agricultural Assistant and then manager at the OMAFA/Bio beef bull test barn. He then joined the Animal Biosciences department in 1995 and provided IT support as Computer/Network Technician. Following his successful career in IT, Richard went back to school and received a B.A.Sc in Adult Development and a Master of Social Work and became a registered social work and psychotherapist.

This is a sad and difficult time and our thoughts and condolences go to Richard’s family.

Please join us in welcoming Chantelle Prigione, Graduate Program Assistant and Belinda Ward-Campbell, Academic Coordinatorn to the administrative team! 

Chantelle obtained her Bachelor of Arts Psychology degree at Brock University. Before joining the University of Guelph, Chantelle worked as Legal Assistant and Law Clerk. Chantelle brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and experience working with graduate students, coordinating the M.Sc/ Ph.D and course-based master’s programs in the School of Engineering – over 200 students.

Congratulations to UofG's Dairy Challenge team that competed in the 2025 North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge this week in Gainesville, Florida. Our team did UofG proud with a first-place finish! 

This year's team included Gillian Forestell, Tim Hoogendoorn, Lauren Hoonaard, and Emmeline te Bokkel, and was coached by Dr. Trevor DeVries (Dept. Animal Biosciences).

Our graduate students represented the Department of Animal Biosciences and the UofG  well, and were very successful, at the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar in Red Deer, AB (March 4-7, 2025). A total of 11 research posters were displayed by UofG students, and 3 students were chosen (of 5 total) to participate in the student oral research presentation competition. In that oral presentation competition, Jessica Brasier from the DeVries lab won first place for her presentation on training of dairy heifers to a robotic milking system.

Attention ABSc Graduate Students,

Are you doing some cool Animal Biosciences research? Come share your hard work and enthusiasm at the THIRD ANNUAL OMAFRA ABSc GRADUATE STUDENT SYMPOSIUM! There will be opportunities for oral podium presentations or poster presentations. There will be prizes for oral and poster presentations, and opportunities to network with OMAFRA staff, UofG faculty, and your fellow graduate students.