Ontario Bean Growers News

News

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

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.