Ontario Bean Growers News

News

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

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.

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.