SIP Annual Report 2025-26 Building a National Pork Research Pipeline
In 2025–26, Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) strengthened its role as the national facilitator of pork research in Canada by delivering coordinated programs, launching new funding pathways, and demonstrating the measurable value of research to producers and the broader value chain.
Together, these efforts form a growing national research pipeline, connecting long-term programs, targeted investments, and future initiatives into a coordinated system.
Message from the Chair
Mark Ferguson
As I reflect on the past year, I am proud of the progress we have made in strengthening Canada’s pork sector through coordinated research and collaboration.
For producers, research is not abstract. It is directly tied to productivity, efficiency, and long-term competitiveness. The ability to improve herd health, reduce costs, respond to market demands, and manage risk depends on having the right knowledge and tools in place. That is why a strong, coordinated research system is so important to our industry.
Canada’s pork sector operates in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving global environment. Expectations around sustainability, animal health, and product quality continue to increase, while risks such as animal disease and market disruption remain ever-present. Meeting these challenges requires more than individual effort. It requires alignment across the sector and a shared commitment to investing in solutions that deliver real value on the farm.
This year marked an important step forward in how that work is organized. In addition to the continued delivery of Swine Research Cluster 4, SIP launched the Advancing Swine Research Call for Proposals. Together, these initiatives reflect a more coordinated national approach to research, one that aligns priorities, connects expertise, and ensures that investments are focused on what matters most to producers.
The recent impact assessment reinforces the importance of this approach. It confirms that coordinated research delivers measurable returns, with strong benefits for producers and the broader economy. These results strengthen the case for continued investment and highlight the value of working together at a national level.
Looking ahead, the research and policy landscape is changing. Discussions around future funding frameworks and evolving industry needs will require strong leadership and clear direction. SIP has an important role to play in ensuring that Canada maintains a coordinated, effective research system that supports long-term success.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank our members, partners, and stakeholders for their continued engagement and support. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient, and more competitive Canadian pork sector.
Message from the GM
Daniel Ramage
In 2025–26, SIP focused on delivering results and strengthening the systems that support coordinated pork research in Canada.
This year was defined by the successful delivery of two major research streams in parallel. We continued to manage and coordinate Swine Research Cluster 4, a $20 million national program spanning 15 projects, 13 institutions, and 36 industry partners. At the same time, we designed and delivered our first Advancing Swine Research Call for Proposals.
The launch of this new funding pathway represents a significant step forward for SIP. Through a full national process that included priority setting, proposal intake, evaluation, and approval, we established a repeatable framework for directing research investment toward industry-defined priorities. The result is a new portfolio of projects now moving into implementation, supported by both SIP and leveraged partner funding.
Beyond program delivery, we made important progress in strengthening SIP’s operational capacity. We maintained performance across Cluster reporting and governance while building the systems and processes required to support a more integrated and responsive national research model.
We also advanced key initiatives that will shape how research is accessed and shared across the sector. The development of the national Research Hub, in close partnership with Prairie Swine Centre, CDPQ, and CCSI, is an important step toward improving visibility of research and strengthening knowledge transfer.
Demonstrating the value of research was another priority this year. The completion of the Cluster Impact Assessment provides strong, evidence-based confirmation that coordinated research delivers measurable returns in productivity, economic growth, and sector competitiveness. This work strengthens our ability to engage with governments and funding partners and supports continued investment in research.
At the same time, we expanded our communication and knowledge transfer efforts through webinars, events, newsletters, and digital tools. These activities ensure that research outcomes are accessible and translated into practical value for producers and industry.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on execution. This includes implementing the newly funded research portfolio, continuing delivery of Swine Research Cluster 4, and further strengthening coordination across the national research pipeline.
I would like to thank our Board, members, partners, and staff for their continued collaboration and support. Together, we are building a more connected, responsive, and effective research system for Canada’s pork sector.
2025-26 SIP Board of Directors
Swine Innovation Porc is guided by a Board of Directors representing producers and industry stakeholders from across Canada. The Board provides strategic direction and oversight, ensuring SIP’s work remains aligned with industry priorities and delivers value to members.
- MARK FERGUSON Chair, Sask Pork
- RENÉ ROY Vice-Chair, Les Éleveurs de porcs du Québec
- RAPHAËL BERTINOTTI Director, Quebec Pork Sector
- JAVIER BAHAMON Director, Alberta Pork
- GRANT MELNYCHUKDirector, Manitoba Pork
- DENISE CASSIDYDirector, PEI Pork & NB Pork
- ANDREW VAN KESSEL Director, Science Advisory Body Chair
- JOLANDA VANDEN BROEK Director, Ontario Pork
- CASSANDRA VAN ENGELEN Director, Ontario Pork
SIPStrategic Plan
SIP’s work is guided by the 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, focused on four key areas:
- Partnerships Strengthening collaboration across industry, government, and academia
- Communication Expanding access to research and improving knowledge transfer
- Funding Aligning investment with industry priorities and maximizing impact
- Excellence Building organizational capacity and strong governance
02Building the
Next Research Pipeline
Swine Cluster 4 built the foundation. Advancing Swine Research opened a new national funding pathway. Together they point to a permanent, repeatable pipeline for Canadian pork research.
Swine Research Cluster 4
A large national program: $20 million over five years, 2023 to 2028, funding long-term priorities across the sector.
Advancing Swine Research
A medium-sized program: three-year projects, with annual calls planned as funding allows.
A structured, strategic research pipeline.
Long-term national priorities
and emerging industry needs,
funded through one coordinated system.
Swine Research Cluster 4 2023-2028
Swine Research Cluster 4 is SIP’s core, long-term research program, supporting large-scale, collaborative projects across Canada.
Now in its third year, Cluster 4 is moving into results, with findings emerging across animal health, sustainability, nutrition, and pork quality.
Delivered with support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and industry partners, the Cluster reflects a coordinated national effort to address shared challenges and deliver practical outcomes for producers.
Meet the Researchers
Behind every project is a network of researchers working across Canada to advance solutions for the pork sector.
Featured Researchers
Ruurd Zjilstra
Aline Remus
Younes Miar
Marie-Pierre
Létourneau-Montminy
Research in Action
Swine Industry Advances: Biodigesters Lower Emissions and Increase Profits
Advancing Swine Research First national call for proposals, launched in 2025–26. Three-year projects, with annual calls planned as funding allows.
In 2025–26, SIP successfully launched the Advancing Swine Research initiative, supported by the Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PPRA).
This program establishes a nationally coordinated approach to funding research that is directly aligned with industry priorities. Through a structured process that includes priority setting, proposal intake, evaluation, and approval, SIP is able to direct investment toward projects that deliver practical value for producers and the broader pork sector.
The projects funded through this initiative focus on key areas such as animal health, housing systems, energy efficiency, and pork quality.
Beyond the individual projects, the program creates a clear and repeatable framework for national research coordination. It strengthens the sector’s ability to respond to emerging challenges, align investment with producer needs, and ensure that research outcomes are both relevant and impactful
- 4 Projects launched
- 2 *Projects pending
SIP INVESTMENT$788K
PARTNER CO-FUNDING $1.12M
41%
59%
Each SIP dollar attracted $1.42 in partner co-funding, for 2.4x total leverage.
*Two projects delayed by the closure of AAFC Lacombe and are expected to launch in 2026-27
Priority Areas
- Animal Health
- Housing Systems
- Energy Efficiency
- Pork Quality
The Pork Research Hub Developed in 2025–26. Now live.
In 2025–26, SIP advanced and launched a national Pork Research Hub in partnership with Prairie Swine Centre, the Centre de développement du porc du Québec (CDPQ), and the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement (CCSI).
The Hub brings Canada’s swine research community together in one accessible, bilingual platform, connecting producers, researchers, and industry partners with the science, tools, and knowledge shaping the sector.
Built in response to a key industry need, the Hub addresses the challenge of research being spread across organizations, regions, and channels. By centralizing access to research results and practical resources, it strengthens coordination, improves knowledge transfer, and increases the visibility of Canadian pork research.
From Research to Application
The Pork Research Hub is designed to make research more accessible, practical, and actionable for producers and industry.
Through the platform, users can explore:
- Research in Action articles that translate science into on-farm insights
- Podcasts and videos featuring researchers and industry experts
- Research summariestechnical resources
- Upcoming events and webinars across the sector
By bringing these resources together in one place, the Hub helps bridge the gap between research and real-world application, supporting better decision-making across the value chain
Why It Matters
By creating a centralized, accessible platform for research, the Pork Research Hub strengthens Canada’s ability to translate innovation into impact.
It supports the adoption of best practices, enhances collaboration across the sector, and helps ensure that research investments deliver practical value for producers today and into the future.
A National Partnership
The Hub is made possible through the collaboration of four partner organizations, each contributing distinct expertise and a strong connection to Canada’s swine research community
Together, these partners represent a cross-Canada network of expertise spanning animal health, genetics, nutrition, welfare, sustainability, economics, and production management.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to improving access to research, strengthening coordination, and ensuring that Canadian pork producers benefit from the full value of national research investments.
03Demonstrating
the Value of Research
In 2025–26, SIP completed an independent economic impact assessment of the Swine Cluster program, examining research investments from 2010 to 2023. Every $1 invested in research returns $8 to producers.
$8
returned
to canadian pork producers
for every $1 invested
in swine research
Independent economic impact assessment of coordinated
swine research investments, completed in 2025–26.
A decade of coordinated swine research, put under an independent economic microscope this year, came back with one clear finding: it pays.
The assessment examined roughly $50 million in national research investment, project by project. It found approximately $225 million in economic return, a 30 per cent annual return on investment and an 8:1 benefit-to-cost ratio for producers.
Investment and Return
$50M
Invested in coordinated research over a decade
$225MGDP
Returned to the Canadian economy: 4.5x the investment
The assessment confirms that coordinated national research delivers measurable returns for producers while strengthening the competitiveness of Canada’s pork sector.
Where the Value to Producers Comes From
$20M
Productivity Gains: Improved efficiency and production performance on farm
$47M
Market growth: Research supporting pork quality, competitiveness and market development
30%
Return on investment
When research is coordinated nationally, every dollar works harder and delivers greater impact across the value chain.
Impact in Action Behind these results are real projects delivering practical outcomes for producers and the broader pork sector
SIP’s independent impact assessment looked back at research investments made between 2010 and 2023 to understand how they translated into value for Canada’s pork sector. The projects below are examples from that period that demonstrate how research investment has delivered practical outcomes for producers and the broader industry.
Delivering Value In 2025–26, SIP delivered value through coordinated research, strategic investment, and expanded knowledge transfer.
Investment
Building a Stronger System
- National funding pathway launched
- Strengthened coordination across partners
- Research Hub development advanced
04Research in Action Three years into Cluster 4, findings are emerging across animal health, sustainability, nutrition, pork quality and production, and they are moving into practice.
Swine Research Cluster 4, 2023–2028
2023-24
Program Launch: 15 Projects underway
2024-25
Research in full delivery across Canada
2025-26 & 2026-27
Year three and four: First findings emerging
2026-27
2027-28
Results and knowledge transfer to producers
2028
Program completion and evaluation
From the Portfolio
Precision FeedingDecreasing greenhouse gas emissions, feeding costs and labour requirements by using precision feeding techniques in commercial pig farms
Matching diets more closely to animals’ needs is showing potential to cut feed costs while improving phosphorus and nitrogen utilization.
Read the full story
Protecting against PEDDevelopment of Multivalent Vaccines for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED)
PED is like that uninvited house guest: it appears without warning and never leaves. Called Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea, it hits pigs hard with vomiting, dehydration, anorexia and, you guessed it, diarrhea
Read the full story
Rethinking Pork Belly QualityEnhancing Pork Belly Quality Across the Value Chain
Long overlooked in favour of leaner, more traditional cuts, pork belly has risen to culinary fame. Once a supporting player, it has proven its worth with rich marbling, deep flavour, and versatility.
Read the full story05 Taking it to the Industry
Events
These events brought together producers, researchers, and industry partners to share knowledge and highlight research outcomes.
Le Porc ShowQuebec City, QC December 2025
SIP’s first Québec-based Deep Dive: a fully French program of three research presentations for nearly 40 producers, researchers and stakeholders.
Banff Pork SeminarBanff, AB January 2026
Opened the seminar with a Deep Dive announcing the first Advancing Swine Research projects, plus a panel on making research practical and commercially relevant.
Webinars
In 2025–26, SIP delivered webinars to share research insights and connect the sector with leading experts.
From Research to Results - Measuring the Impact of Pork Research in Canada
Global Overview of Gene Editing in Pigs
Knowledge Transfer
- Member Newsletters
- Communication Toolkits
- Digital and Video Content
06 What Comes Next
Looking Ahead
In the coming year, SIP will focus on delivering the first Advancing Swine Research projects while continuing to manage and deliver Swine Research Cluster 4 as it progresses through its third year.
At the same time, SIP will continue advancing development of the national Research Hub to improve access to research results and strengthen knowledge sharing across the sector.
Looking further ahead, SIP will work with members and partners to support discussions on the future of pork research in Canada, including engagement around the next agricultural policy framework and planning for future research clusters.
Together, this work will continue to strengthen Canada’s national pork research pipeline and position the sector for long-term success.
Delivering the Pipeline
The first Advancing Swine Research projects move into implementation while Swine Research Cluster 4 enters its results and knowledge transfer phase.
The Next Advancing Swine Research Call
SIP is preparing the second national call for proposals, building on the repeatable framework established in 2025–26.
The Next Swine Cluster
A national consultation with producers, industry, researchers and government will set pork research priorities for 2028 to 2032, laying the groundwork for the next national program.
The Next Agricultural Policy Framework
Working with members and partners, SIP is making the case for coordinated research investment in the framework that follows the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership in 2028.
SIP acknowledges the support of:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
- Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PPRA)
- Provincial Pork Organizations
- Research Institutions
- Industry Partners