University of Guelph Names New Ridgetown Campus Director

May 07, 2013

The University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus has named Ken McEwan as the new director for a five-year term, which began May 1. McEwan will be succeeding Art Schaafsma, who served as director from 2007 to 2011.

Rob Gordon, Dean of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) says the Ridgetown community is excited about McEwan’s vision. McEwan has been acting as interim director since Jan. 1, 2012. Prior to that, he was the research co-ordinator at Ridgetown. The director position entails overseeing 120 faculty and staff and an annual budget of $18.5 million.

McEwan has a long history with the college, joining in 1990 as a professor in production economics and agribusiness and teaching at the University of Guelph’s main campus in the Department of Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics. In a press release, McEwan said that it is a privilege to be given this opportunity and says he looks forward to working with community stakeholders in his new role.

Video: How Swine Nutrition Can Revolutionize Biogas Production - Dr. Felipe Hickmann

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Felipe Hickmann from Laval University explores how nutritional strategies and manure management impact biogas production in pig farming. He breaks down the science behind anaerobic digestion at low temperatures and explains how dietary adjustments affect methane production and environmental sustainability. Learn how producers can reduce emissions and improve resource efficiency. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Lowering crude protein can reduce nitrogen in manure, but only if animal intake doesn’t compensate by increasing feed consumption."

Meet the guest: Dr. Felipe Hickmann / felipe-hickmann-963853a6 is a PhD research assistant at Laval University, specializing in swine and poultry sustainability. With extensive experience in manure management, nutritional strategies, and precision livestock technologies, he contributes to improving environmental outcomes in animal agriculture.