Message from the Chair
Arno SchoberChair
As I reflect on this year, I am proud of our collective achievements in advancing Canada’s pork sector through world-class research and innovation.
As a science-based industry, the exceptional work of Canada’s swine research community drives our sector’s competitiveness and growth. SIP research investments are pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge, from groundbreaking advances in genetics and animal health to innovations in sustainability and pork quality. These efforts translate into real productivity gains for producers, while positioning Canadian pork as a global leader.
Our success is built on a foundation of strong partnerships that span industry, government and academia. By building relationships with provincial pork organizations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, leading research institutions and industry stakeholders, we’re supporting a collaborative research landscape that maximizes impact and accelerates innovation.
As stewards of research funding, we have successfully managed Swine Cluster 4 through the second year of this five-year program, directing resources toward high-impact research that addresses the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities. Beyond our core responsibilities, we have also identified new avenues for strategic deployment of Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PPRA) funding, ensuring that investment addresses industry priorities while driving long-term competitiveness and sustainability. We are proud of the research framework for PPRA that was developed through consultation with our members and industry partners throughout 2024-25.
Our commitment to research communication means we are dedicated to sharing discoveries and demonstrating the value of research. By spotlighting ongoing research and clearly articulating investment outcomes, we are building greater awareness of how science translates into practical benefits for producers and the broader industry. These efforts ensure that breakthrough research findings move seamlessly from the lab to real-world application, maximizing return on investment.
The foundation we have built this year positions us to tackle tomorrow’s challenges with confidence. Our strategic approach to research funding, combined with our strengthened partnerships and enhanced communication capabilities, creates opportunities to drive innovation and growth across Canada’s pork sector.
None of this would be possible without the exceptional efforts of our dedicated staff, engaged board members, committed industry partners and visionary researchers. Together, we are shaping the future of Canadian pork through science, innovation and a common goal.
As we move forward, I am confident our strategic vision will continue to deliver results for Canada’s pork sector, building on its our strengths and enhancing our role as a global leader for years to come.
Message from the GM
Daniel RamageGeneral Manager
Over the past year, SIP has made significant progress in advancing the Board’s strategic vision and delivering value for members. By working closely with our members and partners across government, industry and academia, we are driving practical solutions for the Canadian pork sector.
Given its tremendous impact on the pork sector, management of Swine Cluster 4 is a key focus for SIP. It includes over $20 million in industry and government research funding across 15 large-scale projects, 50 researchers, 13 institutions and 36 industry partners. Advancing priorities in areas critical to industry, Swine Cluster 4 underpins our mission of facilitating innovative research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of the value chain.
In extending our reach, we have also taken great strides at coordinating national research beyond the cluster.
Guided by our mandate, we are ever mindful of the Board’s four strategic objectives: Partnerships, Communication, Funding, and Organizational Development.
Through SIP’s Collaborative Action Plan, we launched a roadmap for engagement with members and industry partners towards a national research program. By revisiting our research goals, we have a clearer understanding of sector priorities and opportunities for research partnerships across the country.
In the critical areas of communication and research development, we have bolstered the SIP team by injecting substantial support and resources. This is strengthening our ability to exceed baseline commitments and drive action on the Board’s strategic priorities, forging new programs and partnerships that are accelerating progress.
Funding is central to success, and SIP’s new pilot Call for Proposals is driving the strategic deployment of PPRA (Pork Production and Research Agency) support towards industry-driven research aims. Building on this call, we are engaging with other funders to strengthen national coordination.
As the pork sector progresses, SIP is evolving to meet the needs of tomorrow. We launched an Impact Assessment Project to evaluate research investment outcomes and ensure continued benefits for our members. This will demonstrate the value of funding research to enhance future communication on investment impacts and strengthen the case for research funding.
Through our continued efforts, we are building initiatives from the ground up and reaching beyond the status quo to make meaningful strides for industry. Whether fostering collaboration, supporting impactful research or breaking new ground, we are solidifying SIP’s role as a leader across the national research community.
2024-25 SIP Board of Directors The Board of Directors sets Swine Innovation Porc’s strategic direction. This year’s board comprises industry leaders with diverse backgrounds and expertise, all united in their dedication to advancing the Canadian pork sector.
Arno
Schober
ChairOntario Pork
René
Roy
Vice-ChairLes Éleveurs de porcs du Québec
Maaike
Campbell
TreasurerOntario Pork Sector
Raphaël
Bertinotti
DirectorQuebec Pork Sector
Javier
Bahamon
DirectorAlberta Pork
Mark
Ferguson
DirectorSask Pork
Grant
Melnychuk
DirectorManitoba Pork
Hans
Kristensen
DirectorOPEI Pork & NB Pork
Andrew
Van Kessel
DirectorScience Advisory Body Chair
Jorge
Correa
DirectorPork Value Chain Representative
Arno
Schober
ChairOntario Pork
René
Roy
Vice-ChairLes Éleveurs de porcs du Québec
Maaike
Campbell
TreasurerOntario Pork Sector
Raphaël
Bertinotti
DirectorQuebec Pork Sector
Javier
Bahamon
DirectorAlberta Pork
Mark
Ferguson
DirectorSask Pork
Grant
Melnychuk
DirectorManitoba Pork
Hans
Kristensen
DirectorOPEI Pork & NB Pork
Andrew
Van Kessel
DirectorScience Advisory Body Chair
Jorge
Correa
DirectorPork Value Chain Representative
2023-28 Strategic Plan
Who We Are SIP is the national facilitator of research efforts for the benefit of Canada’s Pork sector. We coordinate the efforts of industry, academia, and government stakeholders to gain new knowledge and advance innovation. SIP empowers and collaborates with provincial pork organization members to pursue science - based research and knowledge transfer opportunities aligned with the sector’s productivity, competitiveness and sustainability priorities.
Mission
SIP provides leadership in research, development, and knowledge transfer of new innovations to Canada’s pork sector in order to enhance its sustainability, productivity and competitiveness.
Vision
SIP’s 5-year vision is to position Canada’s resilient pork sector as a globally recognized leader in innovative and sustainable practices.
Values
Our dedicated staff and trusted partners are united by a shared set of core values. These principles guide every aspect of the work we do, ensuring consistency, integrity, and purpose in all of our efforts.
- Collaborative We work with partners to achieve the pork sector’s research goals
- Innovative We promote positive change by embracing creative ideas and methods
- Proactive We take the initiative, anticipating future needs and issues
- Supportive We support stakeholders to amplify the impact of Canadian research results
Strategic Key Result Areas
Partnerships
Mobilize pork research partners to achieve synergies across Canada
- Enhance research coordination within the public and private pork research community, and the pork sector SIP as the facilitator
- Ensure the substantive pork research agenda in Canada is strategic, prioritized, supported, understood and that roles are clear
- Ensure pork research is aligned, coordinated and tackle the grand challenges all sectors face
- Enhance information sharing along the pork value chain Excel
Communication
Communicate the difference that research and SIP are making
- Engage the research community and stakeholders to amplify the impact of research outcomes
- Engage and assist stakeholders to adopt and implement research-based innovative solutions
- Provide stakeholders with access to valuable insights, the latest research updates, and opportunities to maximize the value of research
Funding
Optimize science funding for pork research
- Establish a transparent and credible science funding process (cluster and external) and ensure overall coordination
- Establish a national emerging issues fund
- Drive mobilization of pork research partners (KRA 1) through coordinated and strategic cluster and external funding
Excellence
SIP organizational development
- Implement best in class governance practices
- Attract and retain a professional, competent and motivated staff group to support strategy execution
- Develop and implement a sustainable funding model for SIP
- Review the SIP brand to ensure the organization’s leadership and credibility is known across the value chain.
Download SIP’s full 2023-2028 Strategic Plan(PDF: 2 MB)
Swine Cluster 4 Innovation for Sustainable Growth in the Pork Sector
Swine Cluster 4 is the fourth Canada-wide collaborative research and knowledge transfer program developed and managed by Swine Innovation Porc since 2010. This program is focused on fostering continued sustainability, resiliency, and growth in the Canadian pork sector.
At a Glance
SIP provides leadership in research, development, and knowledge transfer of new innovations to Canada’s pork sector in order to enhance its sustainability, productivity and competitiveness.
SIP Research Across Canada 15 research projects targeting key sector priorities
Research Collaboration and Coordination by the Numbers
Visit swineinnovationporc.ca to learn more about Swine Research Cluster 4, including project summaries and researcher profiles.
Swine Cluster 4 Research Locations
- AB
- Lacombe R&D Centre
- University of Alberta
- University of Calgary
- SK
- Prairie Swine Centre
- University of Saskatchewan
- MB
- University of Manitoba
- NS
- Dalhousie University
- ON
- Carleton University
- Guelph R&D Centre
- Harrow R&D Centre
- London R&D Centre
- University of Guelph
- QC
- Centre de développement du porc du Québec (CPDQ)
- McGill University
- University of Laval
- Sherbrooke R&D Centre
Delivering Value in 2024-25 Over the past year, SIP has made significant progress in advancing the board’s strategic vision and delivering value for members
By the Numbers
Value to Industry
Value to Producers
Meeting Commitments
Research Management
SIP has continued management of the five-year Swine Cluster 4 program, which focuses on areas that are paramount for pork producers and industry. These focus areas include:
- Environment and Climate
- Sector Resilience, and
- Economic Growth and Development
Research Communication and Knowledge Transfer
SIP has introduced new media tools and social media outreach to keep members up to date on activities. This includes cross-collaboration with PPOs to amplify research across their networks.
Call for Proposals
Funding is central to success, and SIP’s new pilot Call for Proposals is driving the strategic deployment of PPRA (Pork Production and Research Agency) support towards industry-driven research aims.
The 2024-2025 pilot call for proposals focused on 4 research priority areas identified in consultation with the industry. This is building a framework for national coordination of research beyond the Cluster.
New Initiatives
Collaborative Action Plan
SIP has launched a roadmap for engagement with members and industry partners on how to build a national research program. This plan was a key element in deploying PPRA funding through the launch of the Call for Proposals.
Call for Proposals Launch
SIP’s new pilot Call for Proposals is driving the strategic deployment of PPRA support towards industry-driven research priorities.
Research Prioritization
SIP led a research prioritization process that streamlined over 50 competing priorities. This clarity has already influenced major initiatives, including the Animal Welfare Chair proposal and SIP’s new call for proposals.
National Research Hub
The Research Hub concept is advancing dialogue and alignment around research communication, enhancing coordination across the Canadian swine research network and SIP’s membership
Banff Pork Seminar Turning Priorities into Action
In January 2025, SIP hosted a “SIP Deep Dive Session” in Banff, AB, that focused on how collaborative research is fuelling pork industry solutions. The event brought together leading experts to discuss rapid advancements in science while exploring practical on-farm and industry applications for the benefit of the Canadian pork sector.
With over 75 in attendance, this deep dive session featured Swine Cluster 4 researchers sharing insights and outcomes from their SIP-supported research projects, showcasing the benefits to pork producers and the broader industry.
Seminar Photos
