McGill professor awarded one of the eight science diplomacy chairs newly created by the Fonds de recherche du Québec
Ebenezer Miezah Kwofie, based at Macdonald Campus, will work to advance food sustainability in AfricaEbenezer Miezah Kwofie, Assistant Professor in the Bioresource Engineering Department, has been awarded one of eight science diplomacy chairs newly created by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ).
Microencapsulated B-vitamins help dairy cows produce more milk with fewer emissions
A new international study led by McGill University in collaboration with Jefo Nutrition shows that supplementing dairy cow diets with microencapsulated B-vitamins can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing milk yield and quality. The use of the feed additive cut global warming potential, an internationally standardized measure of climate impact, by up to 18 per cent across seven countries.
Scientists decode the full range of oat genomes, opening the door to more nutritious, climate-smart crops
Researchers have cracked one of agriculture’s most complicated genomes, revealing long-hidden DNA rearrangements that could help scientists breed oats that are more resilient, nutritious and sustainable.
McGill study shows low-grade heat from renewable sources could be used to desalinate water
A McGill University-led research team has demonstrated the feasibility of a sustainable and cost-effective way to desalinate seawater. The method – thermally driven reverse osmosis (TDRO) – uses a piston-based system powered by low-grade heat from solar thermal, geothermal heat and other sources of renewable energy to produce fresh water.
Remembrance ceremony brings generations together to honour Canadian veterans
On November 6, the John Abbott–Macdonald Remembrance Day Ceremony united students, veterans, and community members in tribute to Canada’s armed forces. Held on the John Abbott College football field, the event featured moving speeches and a solemn wreath-laying at Macdonald Campus’s War Memorial.
Patrick Cortbaoui Appointed UNAI Vice Chair
Patrick Cortbaoui, Senior Managing Director of McGill’s Margaret A. Gilliam Institute for Global Food Security, has been appointed Vice Chair for Outreach and Partnership for the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) SDG 2 Hub for the 2025–2027 term. This appointment recognizes Patrick’s ongoing leadership in advancing SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through global academic collaboration.
Experts: Food insecurity in Quebec
Food bank use in Quebec in 2025 has hit record numbers, surpassing 3 million assistance requests, according to Food Banks Canada's HungerCount 2025 recent report. Employed people and students are among the fastest growing user groups, with food banks struggling to keep up with demand.
McGill experts are available to comment on this topic:
WELL-E: Rethinking Cow Care with AI
In Canada, researchers from McGill University’s WELL-E Chair are using artificial intelligence to improve the welfare of dairy cows. At a farm in Montreal, high-definition cameras track cows’ movements, ear positions, and walking patterns to gather behavioral data. These subtle signals help assess the animals’ physical and mental health.
McGill researchers awarded $9.7 million in CFI funding
Thirty-two McGill research projects have received new funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation's for investments in research infrastructure to support their innovative projects, for a total federal investment of $9.7 million.
AES administrative appointments
Dean Salwa Karboune is please to announce the following appointments in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences:
Canada wins bid to host the International Congress of Nutrition
The Canadian Nutrition Society (CNS) has proudly won the bid to host the International Congress of Nutrition (ICN) 2029 in Vancouver, Canada, marking a major milestone for Canada’s nutrition community.
Cracking the Code of Pre-Harvest Sprouting
Pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) is a major global issue affecting cereal crops like wheat and barley. It occurs when grains begin to germinate on the plant before harvest due to environmental triggers like moisture and humidity, combined with genetic factors such as low seed dormancy. This premature sprouting degrades starch, reducing grain quality and leading to significant economic losses—estimated at $1 billion globally, and $100 million annually in Canada.
TISEDTalk: Bridging the Gap Between the Environmental Impacts of Tyre Particles, Tyre Recovery and End-of-Life Solutions
Date: September 29th, 2025 | Time: 1:00 PM | Location: Macdonald Engineering Building- MD 267Tyres keep the world moving—but at a cost. From microscopic wear particles to end-of-life waste, the environmental footprint of tyres spans their entire lifecycle. In this eye-opening seminar, Dr. Linda Mitchell, Science, Research and Innovation Manager at Tyre Stewardship Australia, will unpack the complex challenges and emerging solutions across the global tyre value chain.
Macdonald Campus welcomes new leadership
As we welcome the Fall semester, the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is pleased to announce the following appointments:
Ghana's Cocoa Price Surge: A Bitter Truth for Chocolate Lovers
Last week, La Presse reporters spoke to agronomist and economist Pascal Thériault about a recent price surge of 62.58% for Ghanaian cocoa, a move aimed at supporting its struggling farmers. This significant price hike is expected to affect not only other cocoa-producing countries but also global chocolate manufacturers and consumers.