This section provides updates on recent CPRC activities. Updates, including research highlights, are also published monthly in Canadian Poultry Magazine.

Please click on the following headings (listed in alphabetical order) for more details:

Annual Reports
Growing Forward
Postgraduate Scholarship Supplement
Poultry Welfare Cluster
Strategic Planning

Annual Reports
Please click the links below for PDF versions of CPRC's Annual Reports.
2009 Annual Report (0.3 MB)
2008 Annual Report (0.5 MB)
2007 Annual Report (2 MB)

Growing Forward
January 2010 Major milestones are often best achieved through partnership. The Growing Forward program as delivered nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is an excellent opportunity for the poultry sector to partner with federal government to bolster Canada’s poultry research effort. CPRC, on behalf of the Canadian poultry sector, assembled an application to AAFC to create a poultry science “cluster”. The application involves a number of scientists across Canada working in collaboration to address national research priorities. If the application is successful (results of the review are expected early in 2010), the cluster will secure considerable government funding to match industry’s investment, including previously untapped AAFC support for poultry research.

September 2009 Growing Forward, the new agricultural policy framework delivered nationally by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), is designed to help Canadian agriculture turn new ideas and technologies into viable market opportunities. Programs emerging from Growing Forward represent opportunities for the Canadian poultry sector to partner with AAFC in supporting new research. On behalf of the sector, CPRC, in conjunction with universities, government and industry organizations are developing an application under the “Canadian Agri-Science Clusters” initiative. A “cluster” is a group of scientists with varied, complementary expertise from a range of institutions working towards a common goal. The cluster application will cover three main themes, which are consistent with CPRC’s 2009 research priorities. They are:

1. Biology and control of avian influenza in poultry
   

2. The pathogenesis and control of enteric bacterial diseases in poultry
   

3. Innovative production technologies and practices for Canada’s poultry sector
   

CPRC has committed up to $600,000 over three years for the program. Regional industry organizations across Canada have been given the opportunity to review the proposal and invited to participate in the application to AAFC. Their participation will increase the scope of the research program. Pooling industry funds to address issues of common interest is a powerful way to maximize the impact of our collective investment in research.

July 2009 On May 29, the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture announced $158 million to support industry-led innovation initiatives through the Growing Canadian Agri-Innovations Program. The program will be delivered nationally by AAFC as part of the federal commitment to Growing Forward, the new agricultural policy framework. The program is designed to help Canadian farmers turn new ideas and technologies into viable market opportunities.

On June 1, Dr. Jacques Surprenant, Science Director, Livestock Production Systems, AAFC presented to CPRC the details of the program, with emphasis on the funding opportunities that may be of most interest to the poultry sector. CPRC is investigating those opportunities. Dr. Surprenant was also present at the SAC meeting June 2. Part of that meeting was a discussion on the potential for individual research proposals to be integrated into one or more grant applications to Growing Forward. This application(s) would be made by CPRC on behalf of Canada’s poultry sector and, if successful, could result in a 3:1 match of industry dollars for research – a significant multiplication of industry dollars. The CPRC continues to build the Canadian poultry sector’s relationship with the Research Branch of AAFC and embraces the opportunity to partner through Growing Forward. Where appropriate, the CPRC will also be considering partnering with other funding bodies, such as NSERC, to support poultry research in Canada.

Back to top

Postgraduate Scholarship Supplement
In cooperation with NSERC, CPRC is offering a supplement to recipients of NSERC postgraduate scholarships. Details of the program can be found on the NSERC website.

September 2009 The 2009 scholarship supplement was awarded to Bushansingh (Shyam) Baurhoo at McGill University. Shyam is investigating the effect of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) and lignin on broiler chicken performance, especially in the absence of dietary antimicrobials. MOS are complex sugars derived from yeast that have been shown to have prebiotic effects – that is, they may support the growth of beneficial bacteria in the chicken’s gut. Lignin is a co-product of the paper industry that may also be of benefit. This work directly relates to CPRC’s priority of finding alternatives to commonly used antimicrobials. Shyam’s PhD research project is very ambitious. He will be looking at effects on nutrient metabolism, gene regulation, immune function and microbial population dynamics. Work thus far suggests that MOS and low levels of lignin are both more effective than virginiamycin at decreasing gut colonization by the bacterium E. coli and at increasing numbers of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. The supplements may also help protect poultry from Salmonella challenge. These results could be of significant importance to the industry.

July 2008 Megan MacDonald was awarded the 2008 supplement and holds an NSERC Post Graduate Scholarship. Megan is studying, under the supervision of Dr. Katherine Edens Magor, innate immune responses to influenza virus infection. Specifically, she is interested in why ducks can survive as asymptomatic carriers of several strains of Avian Influenza which cause severe disease in chickens. Previous research suggests there are differences between ducks and chickens in certain receptors that recognize viral genetic material. These receptors (known as immune detectors), when stimulated, participate in a cascade of immune system responses. Megan’s work led to the discovery of a new influenza detector, RIG-1, that is present in ducks but not in chickens. She hypothesizes that this difference relates to why ducks are resistant and chickens susceptible to a number of viruses.

Megan has already published two papers, and has made four poster/oral presentations. Megan was one of only three students worldwide selected to present a paper at an immunology conference in France in 2006.

July 2007 This year’s recipient of the CPRC postgraduate scholarship supplement was Holley Pizzey. Holley is working in Dr. Grégoy Bédécarrats’ lab at the University of Guelph. She is studying prolactin, a pituitary hormone whose expression is associated not only with incubation behaviour, but on a multitude of other functions, including stimulation of the immune system. The main objective of Holley’s research project is to study, at the molecular level, the effects of prolactin on development and function of the immune system. A great deal of background work has been performed in Dr. Bédécarrats’ lab and the project is well poised to increase the relatively small knowledge base on prolactin’s role in immune function. This increased knowledge may have important implications to breeding schemes, which have traditionally selected against incubation behaviour and could have affected prolactin expression.

November 2007 The first recipient of CPRCs postgraduate scholarship supplement, Mohamed Faizal Abdul Careem, recently reported on his previous year’s work. Faizal has obtained status of Diplomat of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV) and has been accepted by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) as a licensed poultry veterinarian. He has published 5 papers, submitted 2 more manuscripts, made an oral presentation and contributed to 2 poster presentations. His academic performance remains very high – Faizal was awarded the Soren Rosendal Memorial Research Prize and the Korean-Canadian Dr. F. Schofield Memorial Scholarship from the Ontario Veterinary College, as well as the Reed Rumsey Award from the American Association of Avian Pathologists. In recognition of his outstanding performance, the 2nd installment of his supplement has been sent to Faizal.

September 2006 Three applications were received under the program this year. After careful review, the CPRC is pleased to announce Mohamed Faizal Abdul Careem as the recipient of this year’s supplement. Faizal is a PhD student working under supervision of Drs. Shayan Sharif and Bruce Hunter at the University of Guelph. The objectives of his research project are to determine the mechanism of immune response following embryo vaccination against Marek’s Disease (MD) and to see whether embryo vaccination against MD has any adverse effects on subsequent development of immune responsiveness. Faizal is a recipient of a prestigious Canada Graduate Scholarship

Back to top

Strategic Planning
December 2009 Significant among CPRC’s activities in 2009 were visits with a number of organizations across Canada that have a stake in poultry research. Feedback from these organizations and discussions with CPRC’s members revealed a clear need and desire for CPRC to play a greater role in coordinating a national poultry research program thereby maximizing Canada’s poultry research investment. Pursuing a Canadian poultry science cluster is considered a significant step in the right direction, however the scope of the cluster is only the beginning of what might be accomplished in the future. CPRC will continue to communicate with funding agencies and other poultry research stakeholders in developing a national poultry research strategy that will foster much more coordination and put Canada’s poultry sector in a better position to take full advantage of future opportunities.

January 2008 CPRC Members have provided valuable feedback on the first draft of the strategy implementation plan. A revised draft incorporating these comments has been distributed. Further revisions will be made after receiving reaction from CEMA, which is anticipated mid-February. Staff are aiming for Director approval of an implementation plan at the Annual General Meeting scheduled in March.

November 2007 CPRC staff have submitted the first draft of a plan designed to implement CPRC’s strategic plan. The document recommends various actions towards achieving the objectives listed in the Strategic Planning Session report. CPRC Directors are now considering these actions (and the resources required to carry them out) and will vote on which should be pursued. Depending on the extent of new activities approved, CPRC may adjust its level of staffing.

Back to top

Poultry Welfare Cluster
December 2010 As part of Poultry Welfare Cluster, the University of Guelph is pleased to announce a new PhD Scholarship in Poultry Welfare. Applications are due March 1, 2010. Please click here for program details.

April 2009 Canada’s poultry industry announced in April 2009 the formation of a “virtual centre” of poultry behaviour and welfare at the University of Guelph (UofG). The centre consists of a cluster of welfare experts at the University that will communicate and collaborate with animal and poultry welfare scientists across the country. The four-way agreement, signed by the Poultry Industry Council (PIC), CPRC, AAFC and the UofG, includes assignment of an AAFC research scientist, Dr. Stephanie Torrey, to the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at Guelph, which represents a significant step forward in AAFC’s support of the poultry sector. Dr. Torrey is developing her research program at Guelph and is collaborating with scientists across Canada on a variety of projects relating to poultry welfare. An Advisory Committee with representatives of each of the four signing partners will help develop the cluster and provide advice regarding its overall research strategies.

January 2008 Efforts are ongoing towards development of a Poultry Welfare Research Cluster in Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has been a partner in this initiative from the start and, since the process began, has moved, to a large extent, to seeking financial partnerships when staffing new positions. As a result, industry funding on the order of $50,000 per year for 5 years is being sought to support staffing a Lead with appropriate support for this national poultry welfare cluster. The position will be an AAFC scientist co-located at the University of Guelph. It has been suggested that the industry support be split between the CPRC Members ($30,000 per year) to reflect the national scope of this initiative and the poultry industry of Ontario ($20,000 per year) where the successful candidate will be located. This industry contribution would be leveraged 8:1 with other sources for 5 years; the estimated annual budget for the Cluster is $401,700, including salary & benefits for the Lead, technical support, graduate student support, office & lab space, research supplies, travel & publications and outreach & technology transfer activities. After 5 years, the position will continue without further cash inputs from industry. Creation of this welfare cluster position represents a unique opportunity to secure AAFC support for a new poultry scientist for Canada. The successful candidate will not only produce new welfare-related research in Canada, but will perform a coordinating role to foster collaboration among researchers across Canada working to improve the welfare of our birds. Both the CPRC Members and the Poultry Industry Council Board of Directors are considering the proposed funding structure.

July 2007 The selection committee reviewed the 6 proposals for leadership of a Canadian Virtual Centre for Poultry Welfare Research, then met June 6 to score and rank the proposals. After reviewing the applications and selection committee recommendations, the CPRC Directors will, on behalf of the Canadian poultry industry, present to AAFC their recommendation for the institution(s) most appropriate to lead the Centre.

Back to top