We live in the Anthropocene era. Human actions have become the major driving force behind unprecedented environmental challenges, creating delicate complexities and uncertainties about the future of the planet and humanity. Canada’s critical landscapes are not spared from these challenges, threatening the well-being of human and non-human communities that depend on them for various natural benefits. Thus, our ability to prepare, plan, and reflect for the future has never been as important to ensure that Canada’s landscapes thrive sustainably and resiliently in the Anthropocene.
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Published on: 15 Nov 2023
In answer to a question posed by a reader, La Presse looked into the origins of the Metro group with expert commentary from agricultural economist Pascal Thériault, Director of McGill's Farm Management and Technology program and Senior Faculty Lecturer.
Among the five major players in the grocery field (Metro, IGA, Loblaw, Costco and Walmart), Metro is the only one to have its head office in Quebec. The big decisions are therefore made here, indicated Thériault.
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Published on: 13 Nov 2023
Undaunted by snow, sleet, and hail, hundreds of people gathered on John Abbott’s Memorial Field to honour Canadian veterans in the annual Remembrance Day ceremony on November 10.
Tribute was paid to our veterans through poetry, song, and speeches by Rick Cartmel, retired Master Warrant officer in the Black Watch; the Honorable J. Michel Doyon, Lt. Governor of Quebec; and Anja Geitmann, Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, among others.
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Published on: 13 Nov 2023
After "shrinkflation," it's now de-qualification drawing criticism from consumers concerned about marketing ploys that give the impression of getting less for their money. The Trudeau government promises to investigate the practice, but experts say immediate action is needed.
In most cases, ingredient substitutions are virtually imperceptible. But recipe changes for certain foods can leave their mark.
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Published on: 9 Nov 2023
Please note that there will be a ventilation shutdown at the Barton Building which houses the Macdonald Campus Library on Tuesday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 15Â from 18:00 to 06:00. As a result, extended hours that run from 17:00 - midnight will be canceled on these two days.Â
This shutdown is necessary in order to perform general maintenance on ventilations systems. New bearings, belt, and pillow blocks will also be installed.
We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Published on: 8 Nov 2023
Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C) has named Mathieu Rouleau as their new executive director.
Based in Quebec, Rouleau grew up on a dairy, grain, and maple syrup farm and holds a Bachelor in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business and Agronomy from McGill University.
Published on: 8 Nov 2023
Millet, once a staple in Indian cooking and agriculture before being superseded by rice, is at the centre of a massive promotional campaign launched by the Indian government.
The healthy and hardy cereal, which thrives in arid and difficult conditions in which other crops cannot survive and requires less water, is being touted as a "superfood" that could force a more nutritious diet on India's population, and also help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change on the South Asian country.
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Published on: 6 Nov 2023
Photo: La Terre de Chez Nous
The crème de la crème of the agricultural world gathered in the grand ballroom of the Château Frontenac on October 21 to honor three new inductees to the Quebec Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Tributes were paid to André D. Beaudoin, Charles Vincent and Réjean Vermette (pictured above from left to right), under the watchful eye of the dignitaries in attendance, including the provincial Minister of Agriculture, André Lamontagne.
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Published on: 1 Nov 2023
Located on Macdonald Campus, many would mistake the Brace Water Centre's unassuming office for a private residence. Yet looks can be deceiving – for not only does the Centre boast an extraordinary history, it’s also associated with some of the University’s most exciting scientific researchers.
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Published on: 25 Oct 2023
As climate change intensifies extreme heat, farms are becoming less hospitable to nesting birds, a found. That could be another barrier to maintaining rapidly eroding biodiversity that also provides benefits to humans, including farmers who get free pest control when birds eat agricultural pests.
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Published on: 25 Oct 2023
As Canadians experience a year of record-breaking wildfires, floods, and extreme heat, experts are warning that these conditions will persist and likely intensify over the coming decades as we experience the escalating effects of climate change and global warming. These impacts are being felt even more acutely in northern regions of the planet, where temperatures are rising at four times the global rate.
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Published on: 18 Oct 2023
Researchers have known for decades that orcas across the North Pacific have harmful pollutants in their system.
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Published on: 11 Oct 2023
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.
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Published on: 11 Oct 2023
Artificial intelligence, automation and robotics are reshaping many parts of the economy, and experts say the meat-processing sector could benefit from improved technology to overcome labour shortages, improve food safety and remain competitive against alternatives like plant-based proteins.
Change has been slow, but companies are making strides, such as using robotics to transport heavy animal carcasses within a facility, to stack and move boxes for delivery and to optimize transportation loads to reduce the amount of trucking.Â
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Published on: 11 Oct 2023
Congratulations to Marc Bieler DipAgr’58, BA’64, Nicolas Chatel-Launay BSc(AgEnvSc)’14 and B. Pratyusha Chennupati MSc’13 who will receive Macdonald Distinguished Alumni Awards at the Homecoming Lunch on Saturday, October 21.
Published on: 4 Oct 2023
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