The following list is provided as a commodity to our visitors. It has no pretense at being exhaustive. In addition, Valacta assumes no responsibility for the content any external site.

This version includes a few details on each entry (from the organization description or mission on the corresponding web site). Click here for the list without details. Cliquez ici pour la liste en français.

Visitors are invited to suggest any update or addition deemed pertinent to this list. Please contact info@valacta.com. The organizations cited below are also invited to include www.valacta.com in their own web links page.

The list is divided into the following groups (some entries appear in several groups):

Valacta Shareholders, and Partners Represented on the Board of Directors

Associations, Institutions, Dairy and Agricultural Resources

Dairy Breed Associations

Artificial Insemination and Dairy Herd Improvement

Businesses, Providers and Various Resources

Education, Research and Documentary resources

Medias and Agri-business publications

International

Organic Production

Goat Production

Awards and Promotion of the Agricultural Sector

Valacta Shareholders, and Partners Represented on the Board of Directors

Valacta's three shareholders

Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (FPLQ) (Quebec Federation of Dairy producers): Under the Federation, all Quebec dairy producers (more than 7000 dairy farms) collectively market nearly three billion litres of milk every year. The producers have delegated the responsibility for negotiating all sales conditions with the processors' representatives to the FPLQ. The Federation is the majority shareholder of Valacta (four representatives on the Board of Directors, including the President).

McGill University - Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Undergraduate and graduate studies in the fields of natural sciences, environment, agriculture, food, applied economics, and engineering. In 1966, under the direction of Dr John E. Moxley, McGill was the birthplace of DHAS, which became PATLQ, which became Valacta (see History page). One of the three shareholders of Valacta, with two representatives on the Board of Directors.

Ministère de l'Agriculture des Pêcherie et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) (Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supplies): influences and supports the growth of Quebec biofood industry in a perspective of sustainable development. MAPAQ is one of the three shareholders of Valacta, with one representative on the Board of Directors. (French language site)

The five industry partners present on the Board of Directors (one representative each since 2006)

Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) (Quebec artificial insemination centre): the only production centre for bovine semen in Québec. Dedicated to meeting the genetic improvement needs of dairy and beef breeders. CIAQ is owned by three groups of Québec producers: the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the Conseil québécois des races laitières (breed associations) and the Conseil provincial des cercles d'amélioration du bétail (breeding clubs). Its representative on the Board is a dairy producer.

Conseil québécois des races laitières (CQRL) (Quebec Board of Dairy Breeds). Mission : unite the Quebec Breed Associations in order to facilitate and ensure greater efficiency in defending and developing their common business, social and political interests. Only partner that was represented on the Board of Valacta before 2006. Its representative is a dairy producer. (French language site).

Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal): located in Saint-Hyacinthe, about 60 km from the University campus, and at the heart of the most important agri-food area in Quebec. It is the only training and research unit for veterinary medicine in Quebec and the only francophone Faculty of veterinary medicine on the North-American continent. Several hundred students are enrolled with the Doctorate program in veterinary medicine. (French language site)

Fédération des groupes conseils agricoles du Québec (FGCAQ) (Quebec Federation of agricultural advisory groups): a network of management experts serving Quebec farm businesses. Represents more than 20 advisory groups. Partner of the Valacta training courses since 2004. Its representative on the Board is a dairy producer.

Université Laval - Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation (FSAA) (Laval University - Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Sciences). Studies leading to a career as agronomist, chemist, engineer, nutritionist-dietitian, food transformation and safety expert, food consumption specialist. (in French)

Associations, Institutions, Dairy and Agricultural Resources

Agriculture and Agrifood Canada (AAC) : Canadian Ministry providing information, research and technology, and policies and programs to achieve security of the food system, health of the environment and innovation for growth in Canada.

Agri-Traçabilité Québec (ATQ) : development, implementation and operation of the quebec system for permanent identification and traceability of agricultural products, animal as well as vegetal.

Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) : National trade association representing Canada's livestock and poultry feed industry.

Association des jeunes ruraux du Québec (AJRQ) : grouping young people interested in rural life and the biofood sector. AJRQ promotes training for its members and supports their feeling of belonging to the rural community (French language site).

Association des médecins vétérinaires praticiens du Québec (AMVPQ) : established in 1969, AMVPQ represents today more than 450 members across all Quebec regions (French language site).

Association québécoise des industries de nutrition animale et céréalière (AQINAC): Quebec association of animal nutrition and cereal industries. Works on the promotion and introduction of better practices in production, agroenvironmental and social cohabitation within agricultural and agrifood businesses (French language site).

Canadian Dairy Commission (CDC): Crown corporation which was established in 1966 with the mandate of coordinating federal and provincial dairy policies and creating a control mechanism for milk production which would help stabilize revenues and avoid costly surpluses.

Canadian Dairy Network (CDN): organization collecting data and providing genetic evaluations for all dairy cattle breeds in Canada.

Canadian Farm Business Management Council (CFBMC) : national organization devoted exclusively to developing and distributing advanced farm management information in Canada. Operates web site Farmcentre.com.

Commission sur l'avenir de l'agriculture et de l'agroalimentaire québécois (CAAAQ) (Commission on the future of agriculture and agrifood in Quebec) : has the mandate to do an assessment of the stakes and challenges facing our industry, to exammine the efficiency of current public interventions, to establish a diagnostic and draw up recommendations. Audiences: summer 2007. Report : January 2008. (in French)

Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants (CARTV): official provincial authority for managing and monitoring reserved agri-food appellations in Quebec. Previously known as CAAQ. Publishes the on-line Directory of Québec Certified Organic Products.

Conseil pour le développement de l'agriculture du Québec (CDAQ) (Council for the development of agriculture in Quebec): promotes the adaptation and development of agriculture throughout Quebec by encouraging the community to take charge of its own future. Fields of action : farmer self-reliance, market development, environment.

Conseil des industriels laitiers du Québec (CILQ) (Quebec Dairy Industries Council): grouping of Quebec dairy businesses of all sizes involved with the various steps of the fabrication, transformation, distribution of milk and dairy products made from cow milk (French language site).

Conseil québécois des races laitières (CQRL) (Quebec Board of Dairy Breeds). Mission : unite the Quebec Breed Associations in order to facilitate and ensure greater efficiency in defending and developing their common business, social and political interests. One representative on the Valacta Board of Directors. (French language site).

Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) : organization representing the producers of the 16,000 dairy farms in Canada.

Dairy Processors Association of Canada (DPAC) : Canada's national industry association representing the public policy and regulatory interests of the Canadian dairy processing industry.

Dossier Santé Animale / Animal Health Record (DS@HR) : develops and markets monitoring softwares for animal health. Tailor-made for the industry, DS@HR applications are used by veterinarians (DSA Laitier vétérinaire), dairy producers (DSA Laitier producteur), beef producers (DSA Bovin) and other parners (special projects). (site in French)

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) : provides business and financial solutions to Canadian farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.

Fédération des groupes conseils agricoles du Québec (FGCAQ) (Quebec Federation of agricultural advisory groups): a network of management experts serving Quebec farm businesses. Represents more than 20 advisory groups. Partner of the Valacta training courses since 2004. One representative on Valacta's Board of Directors since 2006.

Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (FPLQ) (Quebec Federation of Dairy producers): Under the Federation, all Quebec dairy producers (more than 7000 dairy farms) collectively market nearly three billion litres of milk every year. The producers have delegated the responsibility for negotiating all sales conditions with the processors' representatives to the FPLQ. The Federation is the majority shareholder of Valacta, the two others being MAPAQ and McGill University.

La Financière agricole du Québec (FADQ) (Quebec Farm Credit): provides financing, insurance and income protection to Quebec farmers. Major partner of the Valacta training courses since 2005.

GO5 : Canadian coalition for a fair farming model, supply management.

LaiToile : "The place of business for Quebec dairy producers ". Web portal built in partnership by CIAQ, FPLQ, CQRL and Valacta.

Ministère de l'Agriculture des Pêcherie et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) (Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Supplies): influences and supports the growth of Quebec biofood industry in a perspective of sustainable development. MAPAQ is one of the three shareholders of Valacta, with FPLQ and McGill University. (French language site)

National Farmer's Union (NFU) : The NFU is Canadian farm families sharing common goals. Each family member - farmer, spouse and children, ages 14 to 21 - are full members of the Union and enjoy all rights and privileges within the Union. This structure recognizes that every family member contributes to the farm by working on it, or providing supporting income through off-farm employment.

Quebec Farmers' Association : not-for-profit, member-based organization that defends the rights and advocates on behalf of the English-Speaking agricultural community across Quebec. Publishes the Quebec Farmers' Advocate.

Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) : professional farmers’union organization whose mission is to promote, defend and develop the professional, economic, social and moral interests of Québec’s farm producers.

Dairy Breed Associations

Ayrshire Canada

Brown Swiss and Braunvieh home page

Canadian Cattle Breeder's Association

Canadian Milking Shorthorn Society

Canadian Guernsey Association

Club Brownswiss du Québec (French language)

Holstein Canada

Holstein Québec

Jersey Canada

Artificial Insemination and Dairy Herd Improvement

ADLIC (Atlantic Dairy Livestock Improvement Corporation): supporting dairy farmers in New-Brunswick, Nova-Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. Merged with Valacta in January 2008.

Alliance Boviteq inc.: embryo transfer centre located in Saint-Hyacinthe. Company specializing in the production of bovine embryos through in vivo and in vitro technologies.

CanWest DHI : non-profit milk recording organization, providing profitable dairy management solutions to dairy producers across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.Mission: to maximize sustainable net income of progressive dairy farms by providing management products and milk recording services to enhance revenues or reduce expenses.

Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) (Quebec artificial insemination centre): the only production centre for bovine semen in Québec. Dedicated to meeting the genetic improvement needs of dairy and beef breeders. CIAQ is owned by three groups of Québec producers: the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec, the Conseil québécois des races laitières (breed associations) and the Conseil provincial des cercles d'amélioration du bétail (breeding clubs). One representative on Valacta's Board of Directors since 2006.

Eastern Breeders Inc. (EBI) : A member-owned, non-profit cooperative, offering AI services and products to beef and dairy farmers throughout 16 Eastern Ontario Counties, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.

Gencor: a farmer-directed AI cooperative located in South-western Ontario.

Semex Alliance : organization owned by the four artificial insemination centres of Canada (CIAQ, EBI, Gencor and Westgen). Develops and markets high quality genetic technologies, products and services to benefit livestock producers around the world while creating value for its owners.

Westgen: producer-owned AI centre offering semen and other AI services to dairy and beef producers in British-Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Businesses, Providers and Various Resources

Agricom.ca: development of web solutions: design of web sites, portals, web communication tools, mostly for the agricultural and agri-business industries. (in French)

Agri-Design: design of web sites, advertisement and promotional items for farm and agri-food businesses. (in French)

Feed providers: see Animal Nutrition Association of Canada (ANAC) or ANAC's Member Companies.

Siga Farm Software: development, sale and support of farm management software. Independent company located in Drummondville, Quebec. At the end of 2006, Siga purchasede Agri-Gestion inc., partner of Valacta for the design of the Agri-Lacta Suite.

Dairy processors: see Dairy Processors Association of Canada (DPAC) or DPCA's Members. See also Conseil des industriels laitiers du Québec (CILQ) (Quebec Dairy Industries Council) and their Member list (in French).

Tru-Test: Valacta is the exclusive representative for Tru-Test milk meters in Quebec.

Education, Research and Documentary Resources

AGECO: provides consultant services to corporations and groups in the agri-food sector (economic studies, marketing, surveys and census).

Agri-Réseau: Quebec web site for scientific and technical information on agriculture and agrifood, with a large section on dairy production. Most documents are in French.

Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network : at CBMRN, scientists and Canadian dairy producers work together to set up a research program on mastitis targeting the priorities and needs of the dairy industry. Valacta contributes to the transfer committee.

Canadian Dairy Information Centre (CDIC) : the Internet reference for up-to-date market information on the Canadian dairy industry. The CDIC fosters partnerships and information sharing in order to allow the companies and the associations of the Canadian dairy sector to make better business decisions.

Centre de recherche en économie agroalimentaire (CRÉA) (Research Centre in Agrifood Economy). Set up in 1997 by Université Laval's Department of agrifood economy and food consumption sciences. Mandate : to develop and apply knowledge to problem solving, train and support highly skilled professionals, circulate results to the scientific community and the agrifood sector, and respond to the needs of society. (in French)

Centre de recherche en production laitière biologique - Alfred, Ontario (Organic dairy production research centre). Launched by Collège d'Alfred in 2005, provides the dairy industry with a new vital source of high level research for organic agriculture. Also offers technology transfer. Covers more specifically Ontario, Quebec and Northeastern United States.

Centre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ) (Quebec agricultural and agri-food reference centre): contributes to innovation, performance, permanence and influence of agricultural and agri-food businesses in a perspective of sustainable development. CRAAQ fulfills its mission through information monitoring, concertation and circulation of knowledge, with the contribution of a network of hundreds of experts, representing the broad spectrum of Quebec agricultural and agri-food organizations and businesses. (French language site)

Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre - Lennoxville : Canadian institution committed to making the Canadian dairy and swine industry more competitive. Conducts innovative research with high biological and economic yield potential, in cooperation with partners from the industry.

Directory of organics in Canada : web resource (in French and English) edited by Canadian Organic Growers (COG).

Directory of Québec Certified Organic Products: web resource (in French and English) edited by the Conseil des appellations agroalimentaires du Québec (CAAQ), the official provincial authority for managing and monitoring reserved agri-food appellations in Quebec.

Groupe de recherche en économie et politique agricole (GREPA) (Research group in agricultural economics and policies): founded in 1985 within Laval University's Département d'économie rurale (rural economics department). Mission : making University research and training available to organizations and partners of the agrifood industry (primary and secondary sectors, public, parapublic or private). (French language site)

Institut de technologie agroalimentaire (ITA) du Québec (Quebec agrifood technology institute): the largest francophone technological training centre specializing in agri-food in North America. Network of three Colleges, grouping French language campuses in La Pocatière, Saint-Hyacinthe and, in association, McGill University's English language Macdonald College.

McGill University - Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Students can earn internationally recognized degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level in the fields of natural sciences, environment, agriculture, food, applied economics, and engineering. Students benefit from small classes and have the opportunity, in all programs, for study abroad. In 1966, under the direction of Dr John E. Moxley, was the birthplace of DHAS, which became PATLQ, which became Valacta (see History page). One of the three shareholders of Valacta, with FPLQ and MAPAQ.

Novalait: corporation owned jointly by the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (FPLQ) and by Quebec dairy processors. Novalait determines and promotes the research priorities of dairy producers and processors; it manages research investments as well as transfer and valorisation activities (French language site).

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) : Strengthening the science and practice of organic agriculture in Canada. Founded in 2001, with head office at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova-Scotia.

R.E.A.P.- Canada (Resource Efficient Agricultural Production) : an independent, non-profit, research, consulting and international development organization creating ecological solutions for food, fiber and energy production challenges.

STELA Dairy research Group - Université Laval : STELA is part of the Research Institute on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (INAF); its mission is to develop knowledge on milk and its processing, training of highly-qualified personnel for the dairy industry, and technology transfer to end users.

Université de Montréal - Faculté de médecine vétérinaire (University of Montreal - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine): located in Saint-Hyacinthe, about 60 km from the University campus, and at the heart of the most important agri-food area in Quebec. It is the only training and research unit for veterinary medicine in Quebec and the only francophone Faculty of veterinary medicine on the North-American continent. Several hundred students are enrolled with the Doctorate program in veterinary medicine. The FMV is represented on the Valacta Borad of Directors since 2006. (French language site)

Université Laval - Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation (FSAA) (Laval University - Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Sciences). Studies leading to a career as agronomist, chemist, engineer, nutritionist-dietitian, food transformation and safety expert, food consumption specialist. FSAA has one representative on the Valacta Board of Directors since 2006.

University of Guelph - Campus d'Alfred: the only francophone agricultural college in Ontario. Their dairy farm is undergoing Organic certification. In 2005, launched the Centre de recherche en production laitière biologique - Alfred, Ontario (Organic dairy production research centre).

Medias and Agri-business publications

Le Bulletin des agriculteurs (Quebec farmers bulletin): for more than 80 ans, Le Bulletin des agriculteurs has been contributing to the progress of Quebec agriculture through background articles, coverage of farming news, interviews and special dossiers. (in French)

Dairy Herd Management : monthly business magazine written to advise commercial dairy producers. Dairy Herd Management’s editorial is written to an attitude, not to a particular size of dairy. The goal is to help owners, managers, employees and their consultants work together to improve nutrition, herd health, milk quality, genetics, reproductive performance and financial management in order to run a competitive, profitable dairy farm business.

Hoard's Dairyman : American publication launched in 1885 by William Dempster Hoard, known as "the father of American dairying". The web site offers on-line archives (by subscription).

PLM (Producteur laitier moderne) (Modern Dairy Producer): "Every month, concrete ideas for your profit ". French monthly publication from Les éditions du Boisbeaudry (editor of eight magazines covering France's agri-food industry). The web site offers a selection of recent articles (in French).

Le Producteur de lait québécois (Quebec dairy producer): French language magazine published 10 times a year by the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec. The reference for everything concerning dairy production in Quebec. The web site offers on-line archives. Valacta contributes a scientific article in each issue (articles available through Agri-Réseau).

Quebec Farmer's Advocate: Newspaper published 11 times a year by the Quebec Farmers' Association, a not-for-profit, member-based organization that defends the rights and advocates on behalf of the English-Speaking agricultural community across Quebec. Valacta contributes a scientific article in each issue (a condensed translation of the same month article in Le producteur de lait québécois).

La Terre de chez nous (This land of ours): Quebec French-language web site offering up-to-date agribusiness information on the national, regional and international scene. Done in partnership by the weekly newspaper La Terre de chez nous and web-site designer Agricom.ca. Published since 1929, La Terre de chez nous is the pillar of agricultural information in Quebec.

International

France Contrôle Laitier : federation of France's 81 departemental or interdepartemental organizations doing milk recording for dairy cattle and goat herds (French language site).

International Dairy Federation (IDF) : Founded in 1903, IDF is an organization created by the dairy sector worldwide where dairy specialists of all kinds meet to resolve common issues and exchange ideas and experience.

International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) : the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic movement, uniting more than 700 member organizations in more than 100 countries. Head Office in Bonn, Germany.

Organic Production

Canadian Organic Growers (COG) : promoting organic growing in order to build healthy local communities and ecosystems. Includes on-line Database of Organics in Canada (also available in French).

Centre de recherche en production laitière biologique - Alfred, Ontario (Organic dairy production research centre). Launched by Collège d'Alfred in 2005, provides the dairy industry with a new vital source of high level research for organic agriculture. Also offers technology transfer. Active more specifically in Ontario, Quebec and Northeastern United States.  

Directory of organics in Canada : web resource (in French and English) edited by Canadian Organic Growers (COG).

Directory of Québec Certified Organic Products: web resource (in French and English) edited by the Conseil des appellations agroalimentaires du Québec (CAAQ), the official provincial authority for managing and monitoring reserved agri-food appellations in Quebec.

International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) : the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic movement, uniting more than 700 member organizations in more than 100 countries. Head Office in Bonn, Germany.

Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) : Strengthening the science and practice of organic agriculture in Canada. Founded in 2001, with head office at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Truro, Nova-Scotia.

R.E.A.P.- Canada (Resource Efficient Agricultural Production) : an independent, non-profit, research, consulting and international development organization creating ecological solutions for food, fiber and energy production challenges.

Goat Production

American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA).

Association laitière de la chèvre du Québec (ALCQ) (Quebec dairy goat association). Mission: to support and energize the development of the Quebec dairy goat industry through concertation with dairy partners (in French).

Canadian Goat Society (CGS): supervises the Registry for nine purebred breeds of goats and a Special Registry for upgraded animals, and conducts programs and services to educate breeders and to evaluate animals and their performance.

Canadian Meat Goat Association (CMGA): supports the development of a profitable goat greeding stock and meat industry in Canada by providing animal registration, member education and industry promotion for the membership, and by partnering in research and market expansion.

Canadian National Goat Federation (CNGF) : non profit organization providing a united voice dealing with national issues concerning the goat industry in Canada.

Regroupement des éleveurs de chèvres de boucherie du Québec (RECBQ) (Quebec meat goat group): organization that promotes meat goat breeds and breeding, organize and help with marketing activities for goat products, provides technical support to breeders, and works for recognition among other farming organizations (in French).

Syndicat des producteurs de chèvres du Québec (SPCQ) (Quebec Goat Producers Syndicate): organisation grouping producers of dairy, meat and Angora goats, many of whose transform their products directly at the farm (in French).

Awards and promotion of the Agricultural Sector

Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers Program: designed to recognize Canadian young farmers that exemplify excellence in their profession. Each year one farming couple is selected from each of the program’s seven Regional Recognition Events to represent their respective region at the National Recognition Event.