The Milk Producer - June 2011 - (Page 30)

APPLIEDSCIENCE By Julie Baillargeon and Émie Désilets Focused effort M ore than 100 scientists are working on 46 research projects aimed at showing consumers how dairy’s nutritional advantages offset milk production’s environmental impact. Known as the Dairy Research Cluster, this initiative, launched last year, is scheduled to continue until 2013. The federal government is investing almost $9 million in dairy research, covering 75 per cent of the research cluster’s funding. It includes about $7.5 million under the Agri-Science Clusters initiative, $1.5 million from the Canadian Dairy Commission and $131,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. This supports the $3 million Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) contribution representing the other 25 per cent. DFC invests in research projects every year and shares the cost with its partners. With help from its expert committees, DFC receives, evaluates, selects and funds various research projects on human health and nutrition, overall dairy production and sustainable development with the ultimate goal of contributing to a healthy world. The Dairy Research Cluster projects involve Canadian researchers affiliated with several universities and research centres across the country. The program has two main themes: human nutrition and health, and sustainable development. Researchers studying milk and dairy product health benefits aim to encourage adequate consumption and achieve public health benefits. This work also generates a positive economic impact for the Canadian agricultural and health sectors. In developing guidelines for envi- Research cluster putting $12 million to work on projects exploring human nutrition and health, and sustainable farming development Answering questions on cardiovascular health benefits among the studies. ronmental protection, researchers are applying sustainable development principles related to climate change. Projects also include improving the efficiency and longevity of dairy cattle through animal health and welfare. Here is a summary of the topics covered by the two main themes: essential ingredient that plays a role in product texture, taste and safety. Reducing the amount used in processing poses a major technological hurdle for cheese makers. Cluster researchers are helping them find solutions. Nutrition and health H C ardiovascular health. A diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol has been associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. The dairy industry has to deal with a perception that milk’s fat content contributes to those health concerns. However, recent scientific data suggest dairy products might have a beneficial impact on preventing heart disease and strokes. Researchers will try to answer that question. Excess salt consumption impacts blood pressure. Health Canada has recently developed a strategy to reduce Canadians’ sodium intake. Several cheese varieties contain salt, an ealthy weight and body composition. Obesity rates have increased to record levels in Canada over the last 20 years. In 2004, national statistics showed almost 60 per cent of adults aged 18 and over— more than 14 million Canadians— suffered from excess weight or were outright obese. Research suggests a diet with sufficient dairy product intake could make it easier to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Cluster researchers will conduct controlled trials to verify those hypotheses, and will try to understand how milk and dairy products regulate body weight. utrition, growth and health. Dairy product health benefits go N 30 | June 2011 | MilkPRODUCER

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Milk Producer - June 2011

The Milk Producer - June 2011
Contents
Editor’s Notes
DFO Chair’s Message
Dairy Update
Industry Roundup
DFC Promotion
Research
Applied Science
Ruminations
Rearing Replacements
Markets
New ’N’ Noted
Back Forty

The Milk Producer - June 2011