McGill University News - Macdonald Campus Farm

Macdonald Campus Farm wins regional award for milk excellence

webfull — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:00:24 +0000

The Macdonald Campus Dairy Unit has been named best in the region in the 36th Agropur Club of Excellence for Milk Quality Awards.

Published: 26 November 2024

Video: AI in milk production

webfull — Tue, 14 May 2024 15:19:41 +0000

Dairy producers know that the slightest change in the behavior of cows can give an indication of their state of health. But since they can't be everywhere at once, artificial intelligence could help improve and extend the lives of their livestock. In McGill University's Macdonald Campus farm, researchers are developing tools to detect problems before they occur.

Published: 14 May 2024

Macdonald Campus Farm ranked best managed dairy herd in Vaudreuil−Soulanges

webfull — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:33:36 +0000

Each year, Lactanet recognizes top performing herds and outstanding dairy herd management based on the Herd Performance Index. McGill's Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is very proud to share Macdonald Campus Farm’s results for 2023 and to underline the farm’s ranking:

1 of 29 herds in Vaudreuil−Soulanges
4 of 189 herds in the Montérégie−Ouest region

Published: 28 February 2024

Macdonald Farm: A unique place of learning on the island of Montréal

webfull — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 20:48:14 +0000

La famille du lait featured our very own Macdonald Campus Farm in their online magazine, speaking to General Manager Janice Pierson.

Published: 20 February 2024

Mac Campus dairy takes 2nd place in regional award for milk excellence

webfull — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 20:09:26 +0000

The Macdonald Campus Dairy Unit has once again been named one of the best in the region at the 35th Agropur Club of Excellence for Milk Quality Awards.

Published: 6 December 2023

Where do new apple varieties come from?

webfull — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:46:27 +0000

The apple is constantly being reinvented, changing with the times and cultures. The Malus domestica species comes in some 7,500 varieties.

"Today, people want crisp, sweet apples. Quebec used to import a lot of Granny Smiths; they're now much less popular because they're very acidic," explains David Wees, a McGill Plant Science lecturer and Associate Director of the university's Farm Management and Technology Program.

Published: 11 October 2023

New Season Extension Technology at the Hort Centre

webfull — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 14:10:05 +0000

Here's a feast for your eyes on this chilly February morning. Join Mike Bleho for a trip back to the sweltering summer of 2020 to see the construction of a couple of new structures at the Hort Centre - a low input high tunnel and a greenhouse. Thanks to this new infrastructure, the team produced tomatoes right up until the first week of November! The project came together thanks to the dedicated efforts of our staff and students and was supported by the McGill Sustainability Projects Fund.

Published: 18 February 2021

Macdonald Campus Dairy Cow Pasture Project uses sustainable best practices to bolster education

webfull — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 14:05:58 +0000

Animal-friendly fences, optimized water use and rotational grazing systems help make the Mac dairy herd more sustainable overall

“This system of pasturing uses the cattle to manage grass growth, and in return, the cattle get highly nutritious grass at the peak of quality while spending the spring, summer and fall outside in a natural environment,” says [Farm Manager, Paul] Meldrum of the Project which received funding from the University’s Sustainability Projects Fund.

Published: 18 February 2021

Ecological Improvement of Dairy Cow Pastures Project wins 2020 Sustainability in Operations Catalyst Award

webfull — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:13:17 +0000

The Ecological Improvement of Dairy Cow Pastures project has created a sustainable pasture system at the Macdonald Campus Farm which features a rotational grazing system for cattle, the addition of approximately 700 trees and shrubs, the installation of water lines for access to fresh water, and the purchase of a mobile shade umbrella to protect cattle from the sun. The re-design of the pastures has led to improved animal well-being and reduced machinery usage.

Published: 25 November 2020

Michael Bleho honoured with 2020 Distinguished Contribution Catalyst Award

webfull — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 21:08:04 +0000

As Coordinator of the Horticulture Research Centre at the Macdonald Campus Farm, Michael [Bleho] has demonstrated his commitment to sustainability through his daily interactions with students and his work making the agricultural process more eco-friendly throughout his 30 years at the Centre. Michael was a driving force in establishing ‘McGill Feeding McGill’, an initiative which directly provides Macdonald Campus produce to campus dining halls.

Published: 25 November 2020