Dairy production

Dairy production

Dairy production is the most important sector of the agri-food industry in Québec, accounting for nearly a quarter of the province’s total farm revenues. Québec is also the largest milk producer in Canada, providing approximately 37% of the country’s milk and hosting nearly half of all Canadian dairy farms. Since most dairy farms in Québec are smaller than the national average, they rely heavily on innovation and research to remain efficient and competitive. In this context, research conducted by the RQR provides a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying fertility and develops innovative diagnostic tools.

One of the current research priorities is to better understand the links between metabolism and reproduction. For example, Raj Duggavathi studies how metabolic stress affects ovarian activity in dairy cows. Christopher Price investigates hormones produced by fat and muscle tissue, such as irisin, and their effects on ovarian cells after calving, demonstrating that these hormones may act differently depending on the cell type.

Kalidou Ndiaye’s laboratory explores the cellular and molecular mechanisms of reproduction, with a focus on follicle development in cows.

Environmental factors and contaminants are also central to RQR research. Christopher Price has shown that certain mold-derived compounds in animal feed, previously considered safe, can actually harm ovarian development in cows. Heat stress is another major challenge for dairy farms in Québec. Véronique Ouellet studies how heat affects dry cows and the development of the unborn calf, as well as its impact on the mammary gland and placenta. Her work helps define the limits of heat tolerance in dairy animals.

Isabella Nicola is interested in various aspects of bovine health. Her research focuses in particular on uterine infections that impair reproduction, metabolic disorders that affect herd performance, as well as calf health and infectious diseases in cattle.

Several RQR researchers are working on models adapted to livestock. Anthony Estienne, for instance, explores the creation of reproductive organs in the lab, a strategy that could reduce the number of animals used in research, lessen the environmental impact of livestock farming, and improve our understanding of fertility problems related to genetic selection.

In the field, Jocelyn Dubuc conducts large-scale studies involving thousands of cows to test and validate tools that help detect reproductive problems after calving at the herd level. Simon Dufour focuses on the causes of abortions, early embryonic loss detection, and monitoring infectious diseases to improve prevention. Cristiano Côrtes is working to integrate nutrition, reproduction, and sustainability on farms in order to create more efficient and responsible livestock systems.

Marc-André Sirard studies epigenetic markers associated with dairy performance. His research aims to develop tools capable of identifying the most promising dairy cows at a very young age to guide breeding decisions more effectively. Julie Brind’Amour explores early embryonic epigenetic reprogramming through a combination of molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics.

Marianne Villettaz-Robichaud studies the impact of locomotor disorders on dairy cow longevity and productivity. Her work on hoof and leg health, newborn calves, and cull cows contributes to refining welfare indicators and promoting more sustainable husbandry practices.

Pablo Valdes-Donoso uses advanced statistical methods, including machine learning, network analysis, and time series modeling, to better understand how economic incentives influence animal, human, and environmental health. His research provides decision-makers with practical tools to evaluate the costs and benefits of different policy options.

With the aim of optimizing prediction in the dairy sector, Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo leads projects at the intersection of bioinformatics, single-cell biology, and AI. His lab designs algorithms  and methods for the integration and analysis of heterogeneous biological data.

Kevin Wade specializes in artificial intelligence applied to dairy production, using neural networks, decision trees, and big data analytics to predict the lifespan of dairy cows and the incidence of diseases, with a focus on profitability and prevention.

Sébastien Buczinski helps make research useful in the field by turning data collected on farms into practical tools that help producers improve the health and performance of their animals.

The link between innovation, training, and on-farm adoption is supported by Guylaine Sauvé and Sylvain Riendeau. At ITAQ, Guylaine Sauvé leads college-level education in dairy and beef production; her applied research on milk quality, herd management, and animal welfare directly informs course content. With three decades of experience at the CIAQ and recognized expertise in artificial insemination, Sylvain Riendeau is now dedicated to knowledge transfer, training hundreds of students and producers, and constantly updating his courses to reflect the fast-evolving practices in reproduction and herd management.

Other researchers are helping to better understand the male side of reproduction. Isabelle Gilbert focuses on sperm chromatin and epigenetic marks transmitted by sperm cells, in relation to fertility in livestock animals.

Through these projects, grounded in real-world needs and supported by advanced scientific approaches, the RQR contributes to building a strong scientific foundation for dairy production. These advances are paving the way for innovations that will enhance herd resilience, reduce the environmental footprint of farms, and improve animal welfare.