3 August 2026

Tell us about your background and what brought you to the University of Guelph!

I’m from a mixed dairy goat operation in Uxbridge, Ontario, and grew up heavily involved in on-farm livestock and horticultural ventures, as well as volunteering with the Uxbridge and Markham Agricultural Societies to support agricultural education. I knew from a young age that I wanted to pursue research and expand agricultural knowledge; however, my decision to attend the University of Guelph was unexpected. Initially, I planned to study organic chemistry, but I changed my mind and accepted an offer to the Bachelor of Agricultural Science program at the University of Guelph. Looking back, it led to the most educational and rewarding four years of my life, both professionally and personally.

Through an undergraduate research position focused on beneficial microbes in grain crop production from 2021 to 2024, I met many of the faculty in the Department of Plant Agriculture and realized that majoring in Crop Science was the right path for my interests. Choosing my master’s program was then a no-brainer after learning about Dr. Kimberley Schneider’s research on forage and service crops. Now, my research in the Schneider Lab in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph focuses on evaluating the impact of grazing cover crops on soil health and subsequent crop yield, bringing together my background in livestock production with my passion for crop science.

What is your research focusing on? Can you give us a summary?

My research is focused on evaluating the impacts that grazing cover crops in the fall has on soil health and subsequent crop yield, with a segment on animal performance on the cover crop mixes we are grazing. In Ontario, cover crop grazing is increasing in popularity, but data specific to Southern Ontario and, therefore, recommendations to farmers are still lacking. Our research at the Ontario Beef Research Station is ongoing, but thus far has been looking at soil health in grazed versus ungrazed annual forage pastures following multiple rounds of grazing since 2024, using Angus beef cattle. We collected soil samples for chemical, physical, and biological parameters to get a holistic dataset on the specific indicators that might be most sensitive to grazing. This soil sampling took place immediately following grazing, and again this past spring (2026). Data analysis is still underway; preliminary results show that there is a minimal but statistically significant increase in compaction measures (penetrometer, bulk density (not at a root-restricting level)) and electrical conductivity (likely a result of the addition of manure and urine). The persistence of these results beyond the winter season will be evaluated as soil results are analyzed in the coming months. Overall, however, there are limited impacts of grazing using Angus beef cattle on soil health. Sorghum-sudangrass will be harvested for biomass (crop) yield and used to determine effects on subsequent crop yield.

Is there anything else about your research that you would like to share?

With the increasing popularity of cover crop use by grain crop farmers and rising input costs for both crop and livestock farmers, this research may become a useful tool to convince livestock and crop farmers to work together to make the most of the land. Furthermore, it has been shown that extending grazing through grazing fall forage can reduce reliance on stored feeds and, therefore, management costs. Renting land planted in cover crops to livestock farmers may potentially allow crop farmers to recuperate some costs associated with establishing that cover crop as well. Integrating livestock is also one of the principles of regenerative agriculture, and as farmers become more concerned about how management decisions can impact their soil’s health and longevity, I think having the data to back up using practices such as grazing cover crops is incredibly important.

What is your goal after completing this degree?

As my Master’s comes to an end in a few months, I look forward to continuing the research path. I would like to pursue a Ph.D., potentially focusing on crop and forage production, with a component on livestock nutrition. Ultimately, I would like to position myself to have a career focused on research which has applicability on farm. I have thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on opportunities that being a Master of Science student at the University of Guelph has given me thus far, and being able to interact directly with producers and hear their concerns has been a highlight of my degree.

What are your funding sources for this project?

This research was supported by the Beef Cattle Research Council and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada under the AgriScience Program – Clusters Component.

Is there anyone else working with you on this project?

Thank you to my advisor, Kim Schneider, for your continued support and excellent guidance on my projects. I’d also like to recognize the work of the Ontario Beef Research Station staff, Donna Hancock, Caroline Reisiger, the summer students, and members of the Schneider lab.

Recent News

• 

  Putting rotational grazing to the test: Preliminary Ontario research points to better gains and a longer season

  3 August 2026 Read More
• 

  Canadian Cattlemen article: From mating to eating: how the Ontario Beef Research Centre works

  17 July 2026 Read More
• 

  Ontario Beef Research Centre gains from industry and research collaboration

  19 June 2026 Read More