By Tabitha Caswell for Bioenterprise
Fulfilling the dual role of both educator and innovator, Dr. Yuri Montanholi is a pioneer in Canadian animal agriculture. His current scope of work is centred around the study of bison, an emblem of resilience and sacred North American Indigenous history. In the quiet wilderness of the prairie, he becomes a partner in the dance of ecological harmony and heritage preservation, where he aims to foster a symbiosis between advanced agricultural technology and the storied legacy of these majestic creatures.
Touted for its health and sustainability benefits, the burgeoning bison industry requires ongoing scientific research to further develop and maintain its environmental advantages. As an instructor and research scientist at Lakeland College in Vermillion, Alberta, and a trusted member of the Science and Innovation Advisory Committee (SIAC) at Bioenterprise Canada, Dr. Montanholi gives us an inside perspective on where the Canadian bison industry is currently positioned and where it’s likely headed.
Nomadic Journey
From Brazil to Canada, Dr. Yuri Montanholi’s passion for working with animals is as rich and diverse as the many places he’s called home along the way. His childhood fascination with agriculture began during weekends spent on his grandparents’ farms outside his small hometown in Brazil. With a mathematician father and a social worker mother, he was raised on a diet of numbers and social consciousness, and surrounded by animals that, combined, would become the pillars of his future career.
Dr. Montanholi’s godfather, a veterinarian, further inspired him, guiding him toward vet school. However, as he neared the end of his studies, he realized his heart belonged to larger animals. This revelation steered him towards the study of beef cattle management, earning his master’s degree that set the stage for an adventurous academic and professional journey. Seeking to merge the worlds of genetics and nutrition, Dr. Montanholi pursued his PhD at the University of Guelph under the supervision of animal geneticist, Dr. Steve Miller, and nutritionist Dr. Kendall Swanson, an opportunity that honed his unique skills in animal production.
Post-PhD life was a whirlwind of research and academia for Dr. Montanholi. He spent an additional five years in Guelph, completing his post-doc and serving in a research associate position. He then ventured to Nova Scotia’s Dalhousie University where he spent four years as a research chair and assistant professor. His quest for knowledge then took him across the Atlantic to England’s Harper Adams University, where he worked closely with Europe’s largest beef and sheep packer, ABP Food Group.
Next, Dr. Montanholi thoroughly enjoyed his time as an invited researcher in Uruguay, the place he calls “little Switzerland,” highly organized, picturesque, and known for its fine chocolate desserts. From there, he relocated to North Dakota, tasked with leading the state’s cattle extension, then transitioned to a short-term but impactful position with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eventually, the call to reunite with his canine and human family members brought him back to Canada, where he embraced a new opportunity at Lakeland College, dedicating his time equally to research, outreach, and education. Dr. Montanholi’s journey is marked by a nomadic spirit and an unwavering dedication to advancing animal agriculture with a compassionate and innovative approach. Each stop on his journey has not only broadened his expertise but also his perspective on the global animal agriculture landscape.
Today, declaring his love for these “fluffy cows,” Dr. Montanholi’s focus is on bison, where his enduring commitment to animal welfare and sustainability is reflected in the innovative non-invasive data collection methods he and his team are developing. At the core of his extension work is the unique environment at Lakeland College, which boasts the only bison herd for academic study and student practice in Canada, providing an unparalleled opportunity for applied research and training in this field.
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