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Behind the scenes with M.Sc. candidate Megan St. Martin
Research Roundup Spring 2025
Tell us about your background and what brought you to the University of Guelph!
I grew up in Hamilton where I wasn’t exposed to much agriculture except for when I visited family out west who cash crops in Saskatchewan. As I got older, I knew that I wanted a career working with animals, preferably livestock. Near the end of high school I visited a dairy farm and shadowed their vet for a day and from there, my love and interest for agriculture grew. Wanting a career working with animals, applying to the University of Guelph for my undergraduate degree was a no-brainer! I completed my BSc (Agr) in 2023 with a major in Animal Science, and I loved the OAC so much that I wanted to stay a little longer. Since then, I transitioned into an MSc program in September of 2022 under Dr. Katie Wood in the Animal Biosciences department. I am so grateful to the University for the exposure to agriculture, exciting opportunities and wonderful relationships it has allowed me to make over the years. There is truly no better school for me than Guelph!
What is your research focusing on, can you give us a summary?
I am currently working on the Canadian Feedlot Benchmarking study, with the main goal being to create a national database of Canadian feedlot and backgrounding practices. Benchmarks allow producers to compare their practices to other operations across Canada. The data collected from this study, alongside previous beef industry surveys conducted in Canada, will help to guide future extensions and research activities on best management practices and will be used as a baseline for future Canadian beef industry Life Cycle Assessments. The study is being conducted in two phases. The first phase of the study will include a survey for feedlot operators to complete, focusing on feedlot operations, feed management, feed milling, feed additives and implant programs, and ration composition. The second phase of the study will include a sampling trial at feedlots across Canada and developing Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) fecal calibrations according to feed management practices, cattle performance, and feed sources. This will allow for more rapid, robust and accurate testing of fecal samples to identify fecal composition. Enhancing fecal testing has the potential to improve precision feeding, increase feedstuff flexibility, and improve cattle efficiency and productivity.
Is there anything else about your research that you would like to share?
I would just like to let everyone know that the survey portion of this study is now live, and we would love it if you are a backgrounder or a finisher to fill out our survey if you have time! As mentioned earlier, the survey is comprised of questions encompassing feedlot operations, feed management, feed milling, feed additives and implant programs, and ration composition. Each participant will receive a personalized and confidential report of how their operation’s practices compare to the Canadian benchmark. As this information will help to drive decision making for the Canadian beef industry, it is extremely important to have the voices and data of Ontario producers seen within the Canadian dataset.
Click here to go to the study's website!
Click here to take the survey!
What is your goal after completing this degree?
After completing my master’s program, I plan to work within the agricultural industry. While I don’t know exactly what’s in store for me, I envision myself working within the ruminant nutrition sector. This study has shown me that I love to interact with producers but also have time to work in the lab and office. A job like a nutritionist/consultant that would have both of these aspects may be a good fit for me!
What are your funding sources for this project?
I would like to thank Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, and the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) for funding this project, I am very grateful for their support!
Is there anyone else working with you on this project?
This is a study being run under Gabe Ribeiro at the University of Saskatchewan; but because this is a nationwide study, the University of Guelph is working as their Eastern counterpart. With that being said, for the most part, I work independently when it comes to day-to-day tasks. I would like to thank Megan Van Schaik from OMAFRA and my advisor Katie Wood for their help and guidance along the way, as well as all producers who are willing to have me out to their farm for sampling.
