Team Activity, Annual General Meeting and Recruitment
The Novalait team took advantage of the beautiful weather to hold its summer team activity. Many thanks to Thomas Paquin-Roy from Bergeron Cheese Factory for welcoming us and giving us a tour of the facilities in Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly. We thoroughly enjoyed putting on factory gear and learning more about the industrial production of Gouda cheese. To our industry partners: if you invite Novalait, rest assured that we will gladly come knocking on your door to satisfy our curiosity!
Mark Your Calendars!
Novalait’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, October 30, at the Saint-Hyacinthe Convention Centre. The program will include the 2025-2026 activity report, presentations of three new research projects, and a networking lunch.
Registration will open in September.
Looking for a Rare Gem for the Living Lab
The Living Lab – Carbon-Neutral Milk (LVLC) is seeking a Knowledge Transfer Officer for an approximately 13-month maternity leave replacement position based in Québec City. Join a dedicated team working to turn research into practical solutions that help reduce the carbon footprint of Quebec dairy farms.
Applications will be accepted until September 4, 2026.
View the Job Posting (French only)
NEWS FROM THE RESEARCH
Stirred Yogurt Quality: New Resources from Research
The research team led by Sylvie Turgeon and Audrey Gilbert at Université Laval has developed a new technique for analyzing yogurt microstructure, along with a practical guide to critical control points for optimizing yogurt quality. Discover how milk composition, processing equipment, and manufacturing parameters can influence the quality and properties of stirred yogurts.
Access the Practical Guide and Learn About the Analysis Method
Explore the Effects of Processing and Milk Composition on Yogurt
Updates from the Organic Science Cluster 4 Field Trials
The team led by Caroline Halde at Université Laval has published an update on research into soil health in organic pastures. Early field trial results on multi-species forage mixtures are promising. In addition to reducing weed pressure and improving drought resilience, these mixtures achieved higher yields than monoculture crops.
Learn More About the Results in the Report (French only)
Is There a Link Between Lactoferrin, Lysozyme, Lactoperoxidase and Cheddar Cheese Ripening?
In an article published in the Journal of Food Process Engineering, Marie-Claude Gentès (AAFC) and her collaborators present the effects of milk ultrafiltration on the concentration of these enzymes within the cheese matrix. They also discuss how these enzymes may influence cheddar cheese ripening. The study demonstrates that enzymatic activity persists in the cheese, thereby contributing to its bioactivity.
Living Lab – Carbon-Neutral Milk Results Featured in a Galactinnov Webinar
Listen to Édith Charbonneau and Frédérika Nadon explain their work comparing different carbon footprint calculators for dairy farms. Do the same data always produce the same results? Discover the key differences observed among the tools evaluated.
Watch the Webinar (French only)
THE NEXT GENERATION IN ACTION
The Mystery of Liquid Milk Proteins: Valentine’s Quest
From France to Quebec, Valentine Truffault has followed her curiosity every step of the way. Now pursuing a PhD in Food Science at Université Laval, she is exploring a topic that is as complex as it is far-reaching: milk proteins in their liquid state. Her passion for the dairy sector has also earned her the Novalait Danielle-Rivard Scholarship.
Food Science Student Receives Recognition at the Acfas Conference
Our team congratulates Élisabeth Robert, a master’s student at Université Laval. She received first prize at the Acfas Conference for her scientific poster entitled Genomic Diagnostic Marker Selection as a Decision-Support Tool for Evaluating the Ripening Potential of Cheddar Cheeses. This conference is one of the most important annual events for French-language research in Canada. The poster presents research on the use of genomic biomarkers to better assess cheddar cheese ripening potential and support decision-making in the cheese industry.
View the Award-Winning Poster (French only)
From Crabs to Cheese Analysis: Abderrazek’s Multidisciplinary Journey
Abderrazek Temimi did not have a carefully mapped-out career path or a specific professional goal in mind. From Tunisia to Canada, by way of Italy, discover the journey that led him to complete a master’s degree focused on developing a predictive tool for cheddar cheese quality.
DISCOVER WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE DAIRY COMMUNITY
Registration Now Open for the 50th Dairy Cattle Symposium
Novalait will be presenting two knowledge-transfer activities at Quebec’s premier dairy production event:
- A presentation by Rachel Gervais (Université Laval) on on-farm valorization of whey permeate.
- A video capsule from the Living Lab – Carbon-Neutral Milk (LVLC) showcasing a co-development approach implemented among dairy producers, regional partners, and researchers.
Take this opportunity to meet the students who will be presenting research posters as well.
View the Program and Register Here (French only)
Op+lait Annual Gathering on November 3 and 4 at McGill University
The annual Op+lait meeting provides an opportunity to learn about the latest research results generated by the network through student presentations and researcher-led conferences. This is a must-attend event to expand both your knowledge and professional network.
Visit the Event Page (French only)
CILQ Congress: A Professional Development Opportunity for the Next Generation
From September 25 to 27, the CILQ Congress heads to the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region! For students and early-career researchers, this event offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of the dairy industry through presentations on key sector challenges, the Dairy Innovation Forum focused on brine management, visits to Ferme du Fjord and Fromagerie Médard, and numerous opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
Register by August 31 to take advantage of the regular registration rate before late registration fees apply.
View the Congress Program (French only)
Living Lab – Carbon-Neutral Milk Knowledge Transfer Day
Les Producteurs de lait du Québec, Novalait, and Lactanet invite you to a day dedicated to sustainability and carbon neutrality in Quebec’s dairy sector. Participants will have the opportunity to discover research findings from the Living Lab – Carbon-Neutral Milk and Méthane Québec initiatives.
View the Agenda (French only)
Register for the Event (French only)
The Ça Relève! Initiative
Are you a biofood company looking for practical solutions to your business challenges? Benefit from the support of a multidisciplinary student team guided by experts from INAF to help you address your needs. INAF is currently recruiting participants for its 12th cohort.
Apply by August 31 (French only)
