Four New Projects Funded to Boost Pork Sector Efficiency

Canada invests in swine research for innovation

Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) has announced four new research projects under its Advancing Swine Research program. This national initiative aims to strengthen the resiliency, sustainability, and competitiveness of Canada’s pork sector. 

Supported by the Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PPRA), these projects are the first approved investments under a competitive, industry-guided research process. Additional projects will be revealed as co-funding decisions are finalized. 

SIP will invest up to $488,347 in these projects, which will mobilize a total of $1.18 million in funding. The research focuses on priority areas including housing systems, animal health, energy efficiency, and product quality. 

“SIP is proud to lead this national research effort that channels research investments into meaningful, targeted impact for producers and processors,” said Mark Ferguson, Chair of SIP. “This call delivered exceptional proposals from across Canada, and the projects we are advancing will help producers meet today’s challenges while positioning the sector for long-term success.” 

The selection process combined industry input and scientific expertise to ensure that outcomes are relevant, practical, and valuable for producers. Research topics include alternative lactation housing systems, vaccine development for PEDV and PDCoV, passive barn-cooling methods to reduce heat stress, and advanced food-safety interventions to improve pork quality. 

“This announcement reflects important outcomes from a structured, nationally co-ordinated approach to deploying industry-driven research,” said Daniel Ramage, General Manager of SIP. By working closely with provincial pork organizations, industry partners and the PPRA, we are ensuring every research dollar supports practical solutions that deliver value back to producers and processors.” 

The Advancing Swine Research initiative supports projects lasting one to three years, from 2025 to 2028, involving collaboration among Canada’s leading research institutions. 

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