Agricultural Communications & Epidemiological Research

Understand. Inform. Influence.

ACER’s consultants work with clients in the agricultural, animal, and public health sectors. Our broad base of expertise includes:

Agricultural extension and scientific communication
Health and disease research
Education and training

We understand scientific research. We can take your problem all the way from research question to evidence-based answer. What’s more, we make results understandable to diverse audiences. ACER Consulting will solve your unique challenges, creating results that make a difference.

Our Team

Our core team of experts have extensive experience in the agri-food and public health sectors, and formal doctoral training from the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph, with a focus on applied epidemiological research, veterinary medicine, knowledge mobilization, agricultural extension, and program evaluation.

Steven Roche

PhD, MSc
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Dave Renaud

PhD, DVM
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Rachel Genore-Roche

BSc, RVT
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Rianna Genore

BA, Certificate in Publishing
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Julia Saraceni

MSc, BSc
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Carlee Wright

MSc, BSc
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Our Partners

Our long-standing extended team of digital experts have ample experience in creating innovative and engaging communication solutions ranging from web design, branding, video and content development, and animation.

Animation
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Video Production
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Web Design
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Here are some of the organizations we have worked with over the years:

Public Health Agency of Canada

ACER Consulting has worked with PHAC to conduct literature reviews, provide epidemiological analysis on drinking water consumption amongst Canadians, and explore scientific methods for detecting harmful pathogens in drinking water.
Zoetis

ACER Consulting paired with Zoetis to develop an interactive Calf Health Management training course to be delivered to dairy veterinarians.
Dairy Farmers of Canada

ACER has worked with the Dairy Farmers of Canada on a number of initiatives over the years, such as development of infographics, videos and tools to educate dairy farmers on priority animal health and welfare topics, to consult on best practices for research communication, and to evaluate the outcomes of the Animal-Based Measures portion of the industry’s proAction initiative.
University of Guelph

ACER Consulting’s team is made up of both alumni and active faculty members. They have been involved in evaluation of a number of research funding programs, and are actively involved in numerous research projects within the Department of Population Medicine.
Ontario Veterinary Medical Association

ACER Consulting worked with the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association to develop the Farmed Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship (FAAST) initiative (www.amstewardship.ca), an educational website featuring case studies, podcasts and FAASTsheets for veterinarians and producers regarding the use of antimicrobials.
CanWest DHI

ACER Consulting collaborated with CanWest DHI to evaluate the mobile phone application allowing Canadian farmers to review and benchmark their herd’s milk quality.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The ACER Consulting team worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency & TDV Global to inform and evaluate their field simulation of the Livestock Traceability Program.
Canadian Water Network

ACER Consulting was asked by the Canadian Water Network to evaluate and summarize over 15 years worth of Network of Centres of Excellence-funded projects.
Equine Guelph

ACER worked with Equine Guelph to understand and influence biosecurity practices in the Ontario Racing Industry. Our focus included the identification of critical control points, existing perceptions, and barriers to compliance with biosecurity practices.
OPAF

ACER Consulting explored opportunities for precision agriculture in all Ontario agri-food sectors, including current and future uses of big data.
OMAFRA

ACER has collaborated with OMAFRA many times, often working to develop educational programs and resources for veterinarians and producers on several animal health and welfare topics.
The College Of Veterinarians of Ontario

The ACER Consulting team has worked with the College to explore veterinarian attitudes towards antimicrobial stewardship, and conducted evaluations and analyses to support changes to internal policies and programs, such as the Peer Review of Medical Records.
Dairy at Guelph

ACER Consulting has been involved in several academic research projects, collaborating on the National Dairy Study, and facilitating workshops with both faculty and students.
Dairy Farmers of Ontario

ACER has worked with DFO numerous times to prepare veterinarians for the implementation of proAction, and explore dairy farmer attitudes and opinions on various animal health and welfare topics. ACER continues to work with DFO to train veterinarians and dairy producers on priority issues within the industry.
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation

Over the years, ACER Consulting has assisted LRIC with technical evaluation of research proposals. ACER has also been involved in the development of animal health resources and evaluated the environmental impacts of agriculture.
Environment and Climate Change Canada

ACER Consulting was engaged by Environment and Climate Change Canada to evaluate the effectiveness of programs aimed at promoting the adoption of Best Management Practices to reduce harmful run-off in the Great Lakes.
Farm & Food Care

Farm & Food Care engaged ACER Consulting to facilitate a workshop featuring industry partners and producers to discuss nutrient efficiency and water-use challenges in agriculture.
Ontario Veterinary College

ACER Consulting has developed online courses for the Department of Population Medicine and carried out podcasts, workshops, and training for both faculty and students.
Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians

ACER Consulting, together with the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians, has developed a province-wide survey to evaluate the scope of practice and value Registered Veterinary Technicians bring to Ontario veterinary clinics.
Tivoli Films

ACER Consulting has collaborated with Tivoli Films on several occasions to produce scientific communication tools. They have produced live-action videos on a variety of human and animal health projects.
Hallman Animation

With Hallman Animation, ACER Consulting has developed many animated whiteboard videos to be used as educational tools for students, producers and veterinarians on several human and animal health topics.
Wilton Consulting Group

ACER Consulting, together with Wilton Consulting Group, conducted an evaluation of the OMAFRA-University of Guelph Research Program focusing on its importance as one of Canada’s only agri-food funding sources.
Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph

ACER Consulting worked with the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph to lead a series of workshops and develop spotlight discussion papers with experts in agriculture and agri-food sector on topics such as food safety, antimicrobial resistance, emerging diseases, and food security.
South West Ontario Veterinary Services

ACER Consulting worked with SouthWest to conduct data analysis and animal health research consulting on numerous topics within the Ontario pork industry.
National Dairy Study

Members of the ACER Consulting team had a role in surveying producers and analyzing data as part of the Canada-wide dairy benchmarking initiative. ACER also developed the website that showcases study results using interactive infographics and videos (www.nationaldairystudy.ca).
Headlands

ACER Consulting has collaborated with Headlands on multiple projects funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada to encourage producer adoption of best management practices to promote the health of the Great Lakes.
TDV Global

ACER Consulting worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency & TDV Global to evaluate their field simulation of the Livestock Traceability Program and continue to work together on topics such as antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.
EastGen

ACER Consulting provided group management and facilitation training to EastGen’s Dairy Solutions team to aid them in their benchmarking and outcomes program.
DeLaval

ACER was asked to deliver a workshop at the DeLaval Robotics 2018 World Series: VMS Pro North America to teach valuable communication skills to producers who train and manage farm staff.
Jersey Canada

Members of the ACER team have published articles communicating science and research in the Canadian Jersey Breeder magazine.
Progressive Dairyman

The members of the ACER team have published several articles communicating science and animal care in Progressive Dairyman magazine in both Canada and the U.S.
Progressive Dairyman

The members of the ACER team have published several articles on current events and animal care in Progressive Dairyman magazine in both Canada and the U.S.
Solvet

The ACER team has consulted extensively with Solvet, providing statistical analysis and scientific communication services for their pain management products and calcium supplements.
Veal Farmers of Ontario

ACER has worked with VFO to develop education resources for both producers and veterinarians. They have also benchmarked the rate of failure of passive transfer of veal calves in Ontario.
University of Minnesota

Members of the ACER have delivered workshops, lectures and training sessions in collaboration with UMN. Members of the ACER team have also served as graduate student advisors in conjunction with UMN’s faculty.
Lallemand Specialties

ACER has supported Lallemand in clinical trials and research analysis of various milk replacer supplements in both Canada and the United States.
Ontario Animal Health Network

ACER is collaborating with OAHN bovine network to benchmark the use of antimicrobials by dairy farms in Ontario, to encourage antimicrobial stewardship.
Hoof Trimmers Association

ACER has worked with hoof trimmers to offer workshops and information sessions to help them encourage their dairy producer clients to adopt best management practices to reduce lameness on their farms.
Cornell University

ACER has offered webinar training sessions at Cornell University’s ProDairy Program
Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board

ACER, with the help of Tivoli Films, developed three whiteboard style animated videos for producers on the importance of good biosecurity and disease prevention on sheep farms.
University of Bristol

The ACER team worked with Tivoli Films and researchers at Bristol to develop an animated whiteboard video for their laying hen sector innovation network funded by the EU. ACER has also offered conference presentations on Motivating On-Farm Change.
McMaster University

The ACER team worked with epidemiologists and physicians at McMaster University to develop a whiteboard video to showcase the results of their Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research project, and support families with children diagnosed with ASD.
Canadian Bovine Mastitis and Milk Quality Research Network

ACER worked with the Canadian Bovine Mastitis and Milk Quality Research Network to offer conference presentations, training workshops, and seminars for a variety of producer, veterinarian, researcher and graduate student audiences.
Partnar Animal Health

The ACER team was approached by Partnar to perform a cursory literature review on the effects of egg yolk IgY. The team then used this information to put together a presentation to showcase a new product that will be undergoing further research.
British Columbia Dairy Association

ACER was involved in training BC veterinarians on the Dairy Farmers of Canada’s proAction quality assurance program.
Mapleview Agri

ACER maintains an ongoing partnership with Mapleview Agri to conduct research and analyze the effects of ingredients and supplements in their milk replacer products.
National Dairy FARM Program

ACER has been involved in the delivery of training for second-party evaluators. The training program covers program updates for the fourth iteration of the program.
National Milk Producers Federation

ACER has been contracted by the National Milk Producers Federation to assist with training and resource development for the FARM program.