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The biweekly brief: 4/16

Canada

Agri-food leaders advocate for trade

Canadian agri-food leaders visited Washington, D.C. last week to meet with members of Congress and senior administration officials responsible for agri-food and trade policy amidst ongoing disputes over free trade and tariffs. Delegates from the Canadian Canola Growers Association, CropLife Canada, Cereals Canada, Grain Growers of Canada and others are part of the group organized by the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA). Their goal is to strengthen collaboration with U.S. counterparts and reinforce the value of rules-based, integrated agri-food trade between the U.S. and Canada. “Canada and the U.S. are not just trading partners—we are production partners,” said Greg Northey, president of CAFTA and vice-president of corporate affairs at Pulse Canada. “Our integrated supply chains create jobs on both sides of the border and provide American consumers with stable, affordable access to food.”

Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers named

Ryan and Romy Schill of Circle R Livestock Ltd. / Revolution Wool Company were named Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. The regional event was held at the Gathering House at Thatcher Farms on April 1. The Schills will go on to represent Ontario at Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) competition in November. Romy and Ryan Schill are co-owners of Circle R Livestock Ltd. / Revolution Wool Company, a generational family livestock farm located in Wallenstein. Circle R Livestock Ltd raise about 700 ewes consisting of purebred Dorset ewes, Dorset Rideau crosses and maternal crosses for strong maternal lines. The Dorset breed allows for lambs to be born year-round. Romy and Ryan grow most of the feed their animals eat. The feed is tested and rations are balanced based on the sheep’s stage of production for optimal health and production. The crops they grow include hay and grass forages, corn, wheat and barley.

United States

MSU names new research director for ag

Kang Xia has been named associate director of Michigan State University’s AgBio Research unit. Her appointment is official today, April 14. Xia comes directly from Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station (VAES) at Virginia Tech, where she also served as associate director. Simultaneously, during her time with Virginia Tech, she acted as director of Virginia Tech’s Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture, leading major initiatives in fields such as precision agriculture, agricultural biotechnology, cybersecurity in agriculture, and agrivoltaics. She’s been in a university faculty role since 1998, with her experience spanning Kansas State, University of Georgia, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech. She will join director George Smith and fellow associate director James Averill. In her roll, Xia will promote the full spectrum of fundamental and applied research across MSU disciplines, working closely with MSU AgBioResearch-affiliated faculty to build synergies for future collaborations, identify research initiatives, seek funding opportunities and support team efforts in pursuing large grants and investments. She’ll also connect with external partners and stakeholders within the Michigan agricultural and natural resources communities to communicate impacts delivered by AgBioResearch’s scientists and gather input that will inform decision-making on prospective research activities and opportunities to work together.

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