Research projects

This project aims to address the challenges of cheddar ripening by identifying genomic and physicochemical biomarkers that predict its quality. By employing innovative technologies such as metagenomics and nuclear magnetic resonance, the project seeks to detect defects early and optimize manufacturing and ripening practices. In collaboration with cheese dairies, this initiative aims to reduce economic losses, enhance cheddar quality, and improve the sustainability of the sector.

This project aims to develop economically viable industrial processes for producing bacteriocins. The aim is to offer natural alternatives to antibiotics and chemical additives. It explores their effectiveness in preventing and treating bovine mastitis in dairy cows. The bacteriocins developed could also improve cheese quality by limiting defects caused by spoilage bacteria.

This project aims to enhance the value of whey ultrafiltration (UF) permeate, a source of lactose, by incorporating it into dairy cow rations as a partial substitute for starch. The goal is to increase the sustainability and profitability of the dairy sector while optimising milk production and technological quality. By combining nutritional, microbiological, and technological analyses, this multidisciplinary research investigates a circular economy strategy to address market needs and lessen the environmental impact of the sector.

This project aims to add value to Canadian skim milk by developing liquid milk protein concentrates for human nutrition. By overcoming the challenges associated with dehydration and optimizing the stability and functional properties of liquid concentrates, this research proposes innovative and competitive solutions. The aim is to create a high-quality nutritional ingredient that meets the needs of the food industry and is adapted to international markets.

This project examines how to optimize the nutrition of dairy cows during the pre-calving period to enhance their health and that of their calves. By focusing on B vitamins and immunoglobulins, researchers aim to reduce metabolic diseases and boost calf immunity. Expected results include practical nutritional recommendations for commercial farms, helping to limit health problems and economic losses associated with this critical period.

This project explores dairy biofilms, their origins and impacts by analyzing 60 farms and several cheese dairies in Quebec and Ontario. It aims to identify the microbial communities responsible and develop bioprotective cultures to control harmful biofilms. The results will improve milk quality management from the farm to the cheese factory, optimize equipment sanitation and enhance the value of beneficial biofilms, thus contributing to higher quality dairy products.

This project aims to develop an artificial intelligence tool to identify mastitis pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in milk. Using advanced algorithms, the tool will provide faster diagnoses, improving herd health management and milk quality control. This technology, already proven in the medical field, could be an innovation for the dairy sector.

This research project aims to optimize the use of milk solids not fat (MSNF) and dairy processing co-products in Quebec. The main objective is to develop various scenarios and assess their technical, economic, and environmental feasibility. The research team intends to produce a map of co-products, identify promising recovery options, and create a decision-making tool for processors.

The WELL-E Chair employs artificial intelligence and sensors to early detect welfare-related changes and assess the longevity of dairy cows. This comprehensive research team integrates farm data and feedback from dairy farmers to create automated tools and indicators. This innovative approach seeks to enhance the well-being, health, and profitability of cows while providing dairy producers with tangible solutions to address sustainability challenges and societal expectations.

This research project aims to valorize the lactose in milk and whey permeates to create sustainable polymers for milk packaging. By using bioplastics and recyclable lactic acid-based materials, the team hopes to improve sustainability, reduce production costs and lower the carbon footprint, while offering better protection against contaminants.

The goal of this project is to develop an innovative silage-making technique using new pre-winnowing and grain-feeding methods. This initiative aims to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance the nutritional quality of silage, and provide a more ecological alternative to corn silage. The project seeks to increase milk production and lower nutrition costs for dairy cattle.

Early lactation cows experience fertility issues due to a metabolic deficit. This project aims to identify at-risk cows by measuring blood levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and analyzing DNA epigenetics. By adapting insemination strategies based on BHB levels, this approach could lower medication costs while enhancing fertility and production in dairy herds.

Dietary supplements containing saturated fatty acids have been marketed in particular to support the high requirements of lactating cows. Can their use in cow rations have an impact on the milk's ability to be processed into butter and cheese? This research project aims to identify feeding and milking management strategies to produce milk of ideal composition for dairy products.

Alliance lait is committed to supporting the Canadian dairy industry by combining innovation and sustainability. The project focuses on four research themes: improving feed efficiency while reducing methane emissions, designing solutions for better silage and litter management, developing molecular tools to preserve dairy product quality, and combating antimicrobial resistance. The aim is to produce quality milk while minimizing environmental impact and boosting the sector's competitiveness.

This research project explores the quality of water consumed by dairy cows in Quebec, studying its variations according to season and water management practices on farms. By assessing the impact of water on the health and productivity of cattle, the project aims to identify optimal practices for improving milk production, and to offer recommendations tailored to producers.