Research Priorities

The research committee is made up of Provincial Directors with support from OSCIA staff as well as Dr. Ian MacDonald, OMAFRA. In March 2019 the Committee met by conference call to scrutinize and adjust the research priorities that had been previously created. These priorities play a valuable role in directing where our research efforts should be directed. OSCIA sits on many committees and are approached frequently to help with funding and otherwise assist in various research efforts. Our resources are limited so the research priorities help direct our efforts to where they will be most effective while addressing the interests of OSCIA members. 

• To have a paper approved by the OSCIA Board to prioritize the research topics;
• Inform OMAFRA, University of Guelph, and other partner organizations of OSCIA research priorities;
• Focus on soil health and agronomy but also support areas that could be augmented;
• Provide input through strong representation on research committees.

• Maintain ongoing communication with government, industry and academic partners to discuss common research interests and collaboration opportunities;
• Identify several priorities as highlighted by membership input;
• Monitor on-going research progress and work with partners to enhancer research in areas where research is needed; 
• Assist in connecting partners for research collaboration and provide support where suitable;
• Communicate research results and emerging research priorities at OSCIA Annual meeting and local OSCIA meetings;
• Identify and pursue leading-edge applied research, demonstrating ownership by direct involvement of staff and directors. On-going work includes:
  • OSCIA Tier 2 grants supported in part by OMAFRA
  • Working in collaboration with OMAFRA field staff

• Measuring the long-term impacts of both conventional practices and BMPs on soil health, i.e. cover cops;
• Opportunities and challenges associated with controlled or contoured drainage;
• Residue management and reduced tillage for crop production, soil erosion control, reduction of nutrient loss from fields,
• Understanding the opportunities and challenges associated with carbon trading, and the implications of climate change;
• Economics and agronomics of current and emerging cropping systems and new crop development; and,
• Use of manure and municipal bio-products, including green bin materials and biosolids.