The new Living Lab – Lait carboneutre project

The project comprises seven research and innovation activities:

• Activity 1: Improve farms' carbon footprint through co-development and implementation of beneficial management practices.
• Activity 2: Improve the accuracy of measurements (calculators) to draw up carbon balances and the model of economic and environmental impacts.
• Activity 3: Measure GHG emissions on farms.
• Activity 4: Support the integration of beneficial crop management practices with:
  • improving nitrogen supply to field crop production systems;
  • increasing carbon sequestration through the use of forage;
  • assessment of carbon sequestration in different types of riparian buffer strips and adjacent crops;
  • the introduction of switchgrass — a perennial herbaceous grass — in riparian buffer strips and the instrumentalization of data acquisition to monitor the impact of riparian buffer strips on adjacent crops.
• Activity 5: Explore beneficial herd, barn and pit management practices related to:
  • reduction of enteric methane (a by-product of the digestion process) by adding extra biochar to cattle feed;
  • assessment of the biomethanization potential of livestock manure;
  • reducing the number of non-productive animals (heifers to renew the cow herd, dry cows) while maintaining the desired genetic improvement.
• Activity 6: Evaluate communication strategies and the adoption of beneficial management practices with:
  • analysis of communication and extension approaches used with growers;
  • assessing perceptions of the risks and constraints associated with adopting beneficial management practices;
  • the socio-economic analysis of adopting farmers on the outskirts of farms participating in research activities.
• Activity 7: Governance, administration and representation:
  • build and maintain good management of the Living Lab – Lait carboneutre by the lead partner (PLQ), its project manager (Novalait) and AAFC.
  • develop and implement the communication and transfer plans necessary for the adoption of knowledge in the farming community.

The Living Lab – Lait carboneutre project will run from 2023 to 2028. Regional and provincial activities will be organized to encourage the adoption of beneficial management practices by a greater number of dairy producers. This living lab will also share the innovations and knowledge developed in Quebec with dairy producers across Canada.

“Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is providing concrete support to Quebec dairy producers in their efforts to improve the carbon footprint of their businesses. This Living Lab project is possible through the close collaboration of many industry partners, and mainly thanks to researchers and producers who co-develop innovations directly on the farm. By setting up this Living Lab, the PLQ members are putting their sustainable development plan to the test through science. They are also enabling dairy producers to actively participate in this testing and validate the feasibility of its implementation. This work will undoubtedly benefit the entire industry.”

- Georges Thériault, Scientific coordinator, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

“Les Producteurs de lait du Québec adopted a Sustainable Development Plan, whose primary objective is to mobilize and involve the dairy industry and its partners to ensure responsible dairy production, contributing to the fight against climate change and providing an ever-greater economic and social contribution. The Living Lab – Lait carboneutre is at the heart of this plan, and will respond to this vision by supporting activities to combat climate change and promote responsible agricultural production.”

- François Dumontier, Director of Communications, Public Affairs and Union Life, Les Producteurs de lait du Québec

“Working in co-development with dairy producers and carrying out research projects directly on the 20 farms will enable us to fully understand the reality of adopting beneficial management practices. Learning about the challenges and favourable factors arising from this innovative approach will help us to better communicate the results to producers and advisors.”

- Jacques LeBlanc, Director, Living Lab – Lait carboneutre, Novalait