Ontario Bean Growers News

News

Stronger Farms, Safer Food: Protecting Ontario’s Food Future One Solution at a Time

Nov 9, 2026 by University of Guelph News
The article highlights Ontario Bean Growers’ partnership with the University of Guelph through the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance to support research and innovation in dry bean breeding. OBG Executive Director Ryan Koeslag emphasizes the importance of the university’s dry bean breeding program in strengthening the industry’s long-term growth, competitiveness and sustainability. Continued investment in breeding research is helping develop new varieties with improved yields, disease resistance, quality and adaptability to Ontario growing conditions. These advancements can improve farm productivity, reduce input costs and support grower profitability while helping Ontario beans remain competitive in domestic and international markets.

AI Platform Helps University of Guelph Breed Its First New Dry Bean Line

Oct 21, 2026 by Ag Tech and Research News, Global Agriculture
The University of Guelph has developed its first new dry bean line with support from BeanGPT, a generative AI platform designed to assist plant breeding. Developed by the university’s Dry Bean Breeding and Computational Biology Program, BeanGPT helps researchers identify promising parent-plant crosses by analyzing decades of field trial data and scientific research. The new line was developed through conventional breeding and is undergoing further testing for yield and disease resistance. Ontario Bean Growers is also using BeanGPT to support its own breeding work.

Farm groups call for national plant breeding strategy and renewed investment

Sept 30, 2026 by Bernard Tobin, www.realagriculture.com
Ontario Bean Growers has joined eight producer and industry organizations from across Canada in calling for a national plant breeding strategy that recognizes the unique needs of every crop and region. The groups are calling for renewed, multi-year federal investment to maintain breeding capacity and ensure a steady pipeline of new varieties for farmers. Public investment is particularly important for crops such as dry beans, where market size and royalty economics may not support significant private-sector breeding. With new varieties often taking more than a decade to develop and test, long-term funding is essential to ensure breeding programs can continue delivering varieties suited to local growing conditions, markets, pests, diseases and changing weather. The organizations are calling for a flexible national strategy that reflects the different realities of Canadian crops and supports a strong, resilient agricultural sector.

Group 14-resistant weeds are a growing threat

Sept 1, 2026 by John Miner, Ontario Farmer
Ontario bean growers are facing increasing concerns about herbicide-resistant weeds, particularly Group 14 resistance in waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and other broadleaf weeds. Speaking at Ontario Bean Growers’ Research Day, OMAFA’s John Fluttert and University of Guelph weed management researcher Dr. Isabelle Aicklen urged growers to scout fields carefully, identify resistant weeds early and avoid allowing them to go to seed. Waterhemp is spreading rapidly across Ontario, while Palmer amaranth populations have also increased in recent years. Aicklen emphasized that Group 14 resistance could significantly limit herbicide options for dry bean growers and is a key focus of her research program. Growers were also encouraged to monitor for four-spotted spider mites, an emerging pest that can develop faster and cause more damage than the two-spotted spider mite.

Meet the First Beans Designed with Help From AI

Aug 27, 2026 by University of Guelph News
AI is helping shape the next generation of dry bean varieties. Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Dry Bean Breeding and Computational Biology Program have developed BeanGPT, an AI platform that combines more than 40 years of dry bean breeding knowledge with genetic, field trial, phenotyping, drone, weather, soil and seed-quality data. The platform helps researchers narrow tens of thousands of potential crosses down to the most promising combinations for specific growing conditions, helping accelerate the breeding process. The first BeanGPT-designed bean was developed over five generations using navy, black, kidney and cranberry genetics, with a focus on higher yield and disease resistance. While the breeding itself remains conventional, AI is helping researchers make better-informed decisions about which crosses to pursue. The goal is to develop varieties with improved yield, maturity, disease resistance and overall quality that can perform well under Ontario growing conditions, with the first BeanGPT-supported variety potentially reaching the market within the next few years.

Ontario researchers using AI to breed a better bean

Aug 17, 2026 by Karis Mapp, CTV News
University of Guelph researchers are using artificial intelligence to accelerate dry bean breeding and identify varieties with improved yield, quality, earlier maturity and disease resistance. By combining field data, more than 40 years of archived research and hundreds of thousands of published papers, the team developed Bean GPT, helping narrow thousands of potential breeding combinations to the most promising candidates. Early results also suggest AI-assisted selections may perform better under challenging weather conditions, including heat and smoke. Researchers expect these improved bean varieties could reach the market within the next few years, offering Ontario growers new options for productivity, resilience and quality.

Dry bean flour can add value to yogurt, Ontario research shows

June 24, 2026 by Western University, Farmtario
New research from Western University, funded by Ontario Bean Growers and supported by Hensall Co-op, has demonstrated the potential for Ontario-grown dry bean flour to be incorporated into probiotic yogurt without compromising probiotic viability. The study found that yogurts fortified with flour from white navy, black, red kidney, and otebo beans maintained probiotic populations well above the required levels for probiotic foods, while also enhancing nutritional value. White navy bean yogurt was the highest-rated bean formulation among consumers, ranking second only to conventional yogurt in overall acceptability. As demand for functional foods continues to grow, this research highlights an exciting opportunity for Ontario dry beans to contribute to the development of innovative, health-focused food products while creating new market opportunities for the industry.

Drones and AI are now useful tools for Ontario farmers

May 29, 2026 by Daily Herald Contributor https://paherald.sk.ca/
Researchers at the University of Guelph say drones and artificial intelligence are becoming valuable tools for Ontario farmers. Drones can quickly scout fields, monitor soil moisture, and detect crop stress, pests, and disease before symptoms are visible to the human eye, helping farmers make more informed management decisions. Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi, a dry bean breeder and computational biologist, is also incorporating AI into his research to develop more resilient bean varieties and has created BeanGPT, an AI-powered platform that provides insights from decades of bean research. As technology continues to advance, tools like drones and AI are helping improve efficiency, decision-making, and productivity on Ontario farms.

Dr. Isabelle Aicklen to lead weed research for Ontario Bean Growers at U of G

Mar 12, 2026 by RealAgriculture Agronomy Team, www.realagriculture.com
Dr. Isabelle Aicklen has been appointed as the new Ontario Bean Growers Professor in Weed Management at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus. Supported by a $2 million industry investment, including $660,000 from Ontario Bean Growers, Dr. Aicklen will lead weed management research to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for Ontario dry bean producers. A University of Guelph graduate with expertise in herbicide resistance and experience with major agricultural companies, she succeeds the recently retired Dr. Peter Sikkema and will also help train the next generation of agricultural professionals through teaching and mentorship at Ridgetown.

Ontario’s bean sector gets a boost with new U of G faculty in crop science

Feb 24, 2026 by Ontario Agriculture College https://www.uoguelph.ca/oac/
Ontario’s dry bean industry will benefit from expanded research and extension capacity with the appointment of Dr. Irish Pabuayon as the new Professor in Dry Bean Agronomy at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus. Supported through a $2 million investment that includes funding from Ontario Bean Growers, Dr. Pabuayon will focus on improving dry bean productivity, quality, and sustainability through applied, grower-focused research. Her appointment, alongside Dr. Isabelle Aicklen’s recent hiring in weed management, strengthens Ridgetown’s role as a hub for bean research and innovation, helping address production challenges and support Ontario bean growers through practical, field-based solutions.

Edible Bean School: Data and AI driving future variety developmen t

Dec 2, 2025 by Bernard Tobin, www.realagriculture.com
Discover how data and AI are shaping the future of dry bean breeding in the latest episode of Edible Bean School from RealAgriculture. Ontario dry bean breeder Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi shares how computational biology, genomics, and artificial intelligence are helping breeders develop climate-resilient, high-yielding, and high-quality varieties faster than ever. He also introduces BeanGPT, a cutting-edge AI platform designed to guide plant scientists—and provide growers with insights on variety performance, fertility programs, and field management. Learn how innovative research is turning mountains of data into better beans for farmers and consumers alike.

Plant Science Prof Launches New AI Platform for Bean Breeding

September 21, 2025 by Ontario Agricultural College News
Ontario Bean Growers is proud to support the work of Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi, Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph, who has launched BeanGPT, a groundbreaking AI platform designed to transform dry bean breeding. By combining decades of research, Ontario field trial data, and advanced generative AI, BeanGPT acts as a “co-breeder in the cloud,” helping scientists make faster, smarter decisions to develop resilient, high-yielding bean varieties. Alongside this innovation, Dr. Mohsen’s lab is also advancing an AI-driven quality assessment system that will bring dry bean testing back to Ontario, ensuring both yield and canning quality are considered from the earliest stages of breeding. These initiatives mark an exciting step forward in ensuring Ontario’s bean industry remains competitive, innovative, and grower-focused.

Research capacity being filled for Ontario edible bean growers

September 12, 2025 by John Greig, Farmtario
Farmtario recently published an article highlighting how research capacity is being restored for Ontario’s edible bean growers. Following several retirements that raised concerns about the future of bean research, new hires at the University of Guelph and renewed support at the Huron Research Station are bringing fresh expertise and energy to the industry. The story also features the important role OBG has played in maintaining research through partnerships and advocacy.
Read the full article to learn how these developments are strengthening the future of bean research in Ontario.

Bean research breeds community giving

October 27, 2025 by Diana Martin, Farmtario
University of Guelph’s Dry Bean Breeding and Computational Biology Program is finding a meaningful new purpose for surplus research beans. Led by Dr. Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi, the program grows approximately 100,000 research plants each year, with thousands of harvested beans traditionally left unused. Rather than going to waste, surplus navy, black, kidney, cranberry, yellow, pinto and adzuki beans are now being harvested, cleaned and donated to the Guelph Food Bank to support local food security. The beans are also being used as a unique medium for a United Way art fundraiser, demonstrating how agricultural research can create benefits well beyond the field and contribute to the broader community.

2025 Ontario Bean Growers Research Day highlights: What’s happening in the province’s bean industry

Ontario Bean Growers is featured in the latest issue of Top Crop Manager East. The article highlights key updates from our 2025 Research Day, showcasing the latest advancements and priorities in Ontario’s bean industry. Check out the full story to learn more about the research driving innovation for our growers.

Ontario Bean Growers & AgScape Launch a New Teachers Guide on the Innovations of Ontario Dry Bean Farming in Celebration of Canadian Agricultural Literacy Month

AgScape, working with the Ontario Bean Growers is launching a new Teachers Guide- an Exploration of Dry Bean Farming, for Ontario students Grades 4-10.

Ontario Bean Growers makes five year research investm ent

Ontario Bean Growers (OBG) has invested nearly $1.4 million, over the next 5 years, into bean research projects that seek to improve productivity and reduce threats to pulse crop production, as well as one project that is collecting evidence for a health claim.

2020 Western Bean Cutworm Guidelines for Ontario Dry Be ans

Information provided by: Tracey Baute and Meghan Moran, OMAFRA and Chris Gillard, University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus

Western bean cutworm (WBC) has become the primary pest of corn in the Great Lakes region and is reaching that status in dry beans too. WBC damage was found back in 2014 in a few dry beans fields between Thamesville and Strathroy and has now expanded to most of the dry bean growing regions here.

Canadian Agriculture Partnership Helps Further the Work of Ontario Bean Grow ers

Since the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership) was launched in the spring, Ontario Bean Growers (OBG) has been successful at leveraging funds for three projects: Yield Response of Dry Beans to Variable Rate Seeding, Innovative Weed Management Strategies for Dry Bean, and Launching a Consumer Brand for Ontario Bean Growers.