ICAR / Interbull Program 

The presentations of the Interbull Scientific Program are available on their website.

The presentations (Abstracts, PPT) of the ICAR technical sessions and workshops will be soon available on the ICAR website. The proceedings and the recording will be available only this fall.

Sunday, May 29

Interbull & ICAR Board Meetings*
*Private meetings, by invitation only

BONAVENTURE

8:30/12:30 – Interbeef Working Group and Technical meeting

Monday, May 30

8:30/17:00 – ICAR Sub-Committee and Working Group Meetings*
* Private meetings, by invitation only

MONTREAL 4-5 (Live Stream)

9:00/16:00 – Interbull Business and Open Session Meetings
For more information on the Interbull Scientific Program, click here.

Tuesday, May 31

8:30/17:00 – ICAR Sub-Committee and Working Group Meetings*
* Private meetings, by invitation only

MONTREAL 4-5 (Live Stream)

8:30/15:15 – Interbull Business and Open Session Meetings

For more information on the Interbull Business Meeting, click here.

15:30/17:00 – ExtraMIR Workshop – A new ICAR/IDF action team focusing on added value from DHI data

Chair: Dr. Christian Baumgartner, pureMilk analytical GmbH

ExtraMIR (Extra value from -smart use of- MIR spectra) is an ICAR/IDF joint action team that would like to offer a more complete and deeper understanding of the activities related to the use of MIR spectra in the dairy sector; overall goal is to offer concrete solutions for efficient and smart farm management tools to the farmer. 

MONTREAL 2-3

8:30/12:30 – ICAR Functional Traits Working Group Workshop – Recording and evaluation of BCS and its relationship with health and welfare

Chairs: Christa Egger-Danner, ZuchtData & Nicolas Gengler, Université de Liège

For consulting the agenda and to participate on-line, click here.

The Functional Traits Working Group (FTWG) wants to address the topic of body condition scoring (BCS) in its complexity from recording to its use as an indicator of health and welfare. BCS is also an important trait for feed efficiency. This workshop will allow the participants to share their expertise, comments, knowledge, usage of this information on their domain of activities. The objective is to standardize BCS and the recording of this information by the creation of a new «ICAR Guidelines for recording and evaluation of BCS as an indicator of health and welfare traits». Information for participation to this workshop will be available soon.

14:00/17:00 – Animal Data Exchange Working Group (OPEN meeting)

For consulting the agenda, please click here.

17:30 – ICAR / Interbull Welcome Reception – Hotel Bonaventure / ROOM VILLE-MARIE

Wednesday, June 1

8:00/19:00 – Exhibition and Poster Session

Poster Session Program

• Report on the incidence of selected hereditary disorders in the Polish population of Holstein-Friesian cattle / Marta Gozdek, Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Dairy Farmers / Warsaw University of Life Sciences
• Can milk analysis by infrared spectroscopy reveal the welfare status of cows? / Mazen Bahadi, Lactanet
• Detecting subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows using machine learning and fatty acid profile obtained from routine FTIR milk analysis / Félix Huot, Université Laval
• Predicting dairy herd resilience on farms with conventional milking systems / Roxann Rikkers, Wageningen University & Research
• Applying fatty acid profiles from bulk tank milk on farm for decision-making support / Débora Santschi, Lactanet
• Performance stability of dairy herds: Detection and relevance to resilience assessment on Canadian farms / René Lacroix, Lactanet
• The effects of high density SNPs on milk yield throughout lactations in Romanian dairy cattle / Mircea Catalin Rotar, National Research Development Institute for Animal Biology and Nutrition
• Imputation of missing test day milk records and its use in genetic evaluation for Milk Yield in Mehsana Buffaloes / Sujit Saha, National Dairy Development Board
• Genomic Selection in Buffaloes using female reference population / Nilesh Nayee, National Dairy Development Board
• Using sensor technology to detect the onset of digital dermatitis in Holstein cows / Amber Adams Progar, Washington State University
• Distribution of pregnant and open cows based on 3 levels of Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins at 30 and 60 days post breeding / Jean Durocher, Lactanet
• A time-series analysis of milk productivity changes in US dairy states / Victor Cabrera

MONTREAL 4-5 (Live Stream)

8:30/10:00 – ICAR General Assembly

10:30/12:30 – ICAR Plenary Session

• Welcome
• Canadian Dairy Industry Overview / Brian Van Doormaal, Lactanet
• IDF Global Perspectives On Sustainability / Caroline Émond, FIL-IDF
• Keynotes speakers:
  • Daniel Weary, University of British Columbia
  • Korb Whale, Dairy producer, Dairy Farmers of Canada

13:30/15:30 – ICAR / Interbull joint session:

Recording and Selection Tools for Feed Efficiency and Environmental Impact

Co-chairs: Birgit Gredler-Grandl, Wageningen University & Research / Daniele Vicario, ANAPRI

Feed efficiency and traits related to environmental impact such as greenhouse gas emission of livestock are challenging traits to record and analyse, both on phenotypic and genetic level.  This session will highlight the advanced recording techniques, explore the evaluation of proxies and indicator traits (showing both phenotypic and genetic relationships) for feed efficiency as well as genetic analysis, breeding values and breeding goals accounting for feed efficiency and greenhouse gas emission of cattle

• Update ICAR Feed and Gas Working Group: Guidelines and international collaboration for genetic evaluation
  • Birgit Gredler-Grandl, Wageningen University & Research
•  Validation of individual feed intake records using a 3D camera system in commercial farms
  • Jan Lassen, VikingGenetics
• Measuring individual carbon dioxide emissions as a proxy for feed efficiency on dairy farms preliminary results
  • Istvan Fodor, Wageningen University & Research
• Dynamic nature of genetic parameters for feed efficiency estimated using random regression models
  • Kerry Houlahan, University of Guelph
• Modelling metabolic efficiency Do we need to understand the biological meaning of residual feed intake breeding values?
  • Esa A. Mäntysaari, Finland Natural Resources Institute
• Large scale phenotyping of methane for genetic evaluation is possible with Sniffers
  • Michael Aldridge, Wageningen University and Research
• A pipeline for the integration of growth, feed efficiency and greenhouse-gas emission data in Italian Holstein
  • Francesco Tiezzi, University of Florence
• Estimates of genetic parameters for environmental efficiency traits for first lactation Holstein
  • Lucas Lopes, University of Guelph
• Genetic analysis and correlations between milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectra-based methane emissions and nitrogen use efficiency proxies in Walloon Holstein cows
  • Nicolas Gengler, Université de Liège – GxABT

16:00/17:15 – Sponsor Technology Showcase

For consulting the agenda, please click here.

17:15/19:00 – Cocktails in the Exhibition Hall

Thursday, June 2

8:00/15:30 – Exhibition and Poster Session

See the Poster Session Program above on Wednesday

8:00/17:00 – ICAR Technical Sessions
(See descriptions below the table)

MONTRÉAL 4-5 (Live Stream)	MONTRÉAL 2-3 (Live Stream)	MONTRÉAL 1
8:00 – Advanced analytics for adding value to livestock data Chair: Miel Hostens, Utrecht University Advanced analytics create insight and supports the Danish dairy farmers / Johannes Frandsen, SEGES Innovation P/S		8:00 – DNA Webinar: “Launch of ICAR Parentage Discovery Certification Services” Presented by: Brian van Doormaal, Lactanet For more information click here.
8:15 – Exchanges of French genetic data are driven by farmer consent managed in a dedicated blockchain / Laurent Journaux, France Génétique Élevage		Webinar continued…
8:30 – LEO: A National-wise open big-data facility on livestock / Riccardo Negrini, A.I.A.	Sustainability in the context of milk recording Chair: Filippo Miglior, Lactanet Animal breeding sustainability: the Italian Holstein experience / Lorenzo Benzoni, ANA della Razza Frisona, Bruna e Jersey Italiana	Webinar continued…
8:45 – DCPO: The dairy cattle performance ontology, a tool for domain modelling and data analytics / Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo, UQAM	The role of recording and evaluating calf traits for improved sustainability / Michele Axford, Agriculture Victoria	Webinar continued…
9:00 – Disease risk prediction based on an integrative data-methodological approach in dairy cattle / Christa Egger-Danner, ZuchtData	Towards new breeding tools in a context of climate change: first results of the RUMIGEN project on new phenotypes for heat tolerance traits / Sophie Mattalia, Institut de l’élevage	New developments in sheep, goat and camelids within ICAR Chair: Jean-Michel Astruc, IDELE Milk recording in sheep and goats: state of the art using the data from the ICAR on-line yearly survey / Jean-Michel Astruc, IDELE
9:15 – Making use of dairy herd improvement records and machine learning to identify best management strategies / Daniel Warner, Lactanet	Using dairy herd improvement data to monitor herd sustainability / Débora Santschi, Lactanet	The implementation of standard lactation and standard milking length in the milk recording of dairy sheep and goats breeds in Slovenia / Marko Bizjak, U of Ljubljana
9:30 – Prediction of grass-based diet from indirect traits using milk MIR-based predictors to assess the feeding typology of farms / Hélène Soyeurt, U de Liège	ICAR sustainability task force report & recommendations / Tone Roalkvam, Tine & Ben Bartlett, NMR Plc	Wool recording in sheep: results from an ICAR on-line survey / Marija Spehar, Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food
9:45 – Milk fatty acid profiles in early lactation as potential indicators for reproduction success / Daniel Warner, Lactanet	General Discussion	Genetic improvement : A fundamental pilliar for the Canadian sheep industry / Frédéric Fortin, Centre d’expertise en production ovine du Québec
HEALTH BREAK	HEALTH BREAK	HEALTH BREAK
10:30 – Advanced analytics for adding value to livestock data Session continues… Optimize breeding and replacement decisions using milk recording data / Robert Fourdraine, DRMS	Modern approaches and practices in milk recording Chair: Richard Cantin, Lactanet Practical experience from the implementation of a new udder health monitoring service through regular DHI testing / Daniel Schwarz, FOSS	Animal Identification – New developments and future possibilities Chair: Jo Quigley, Integrity Systems Company Evolution of ID tags from prominent value to radical novel / Michael McHugh, Wonderkow
10:45 – A machine learning approach to describe the welfare status of dairy herds and analyse its association with performance and economics / Gabriel Dallago, U McGill	Supporting automatic milking farms in milk recording / Kirsi Leppikorpi, Association ofi ProAgria Centres	Pilot on developing smart biometric identification platform for bovines an experience from small holders’ dairy system in India / Sujit Saha, NDDB
11:00 – Using box time indicators to rank cows according to their efficiency in robotic milking systems / Liliana Fadul, Lactanet	ICAR member needs regarding the use of robot and sensor data / René van der Linde, ICAR	The role of emerging technologies in modernizing traceability / Corlena Patterson, Canadian Sheep Federation
11:15 – Estimation of lifetime dairy profit using multivariate machine learning and deep learning models / Abdoulaye Baniré Diallo, UQAM	Embracing new streams of dairy data – How good is good enough? / Steven Sievert, NDHIA	Nasal implant technique – equine challenges and solutions / Adrienne Herron, University of Alberta
11:30 – Automated anomaly detection for milk components and diagnostics in dairy herds / Maryam Ayat, Lactanet	eDHI – Value services without samples / Anton Borst, Halarda Farms	Transformative interoperable future technology and  digital transformation across livestock production / David Smith, Ceres TAG
11:45 – PHENO3D: phenotyping and weighing beef cattle by 3D imagery / Maxence Bruyas, France Conseil Élevage	GenoCells: individual somatic cell count of dairy cows by genotyping tank milk / Pierre Lenorman, Seenovia/Seenergi	Trend of ICT Policy in Austria and RF Communication Standards / Josef Preishuber-Pflügl, CISC semiconductor
LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH
13:30 – Milk analysis – New developments in using MIR Spectra Chair: Christian Baumgartner, pureMilk analytical GmbH Prediction of key physiological milk biomarkers in dairy cows through MIR milk spectra / Clément Grelet, CRA-W	Using sensor technologies for health and welfare monitoring and recording as part of dairy herd improvement Chair: Elsa Vasseur, McGill University, on behalf of ICAR FTWG Invited presentation: Making sense of sensors to focus on cow health and welfare: The case of building machine learning models to evaluate locomotion ability / Gabriel Dallago, McGill University	Animal Data Exchange Workshop – Current implementation examples and Q/A with the experts Chair: Robert Fourdraine, Dairy Records Management Systems Many dairy equipment manufacturers and milk recording organizations have heard about the ICAR Animal Exchange Data (ADE) standards, however may not feel comfortable proceeding with the implementation due to unfamiliarity with the technical aspects.  Recognizing that there may be a learning curve, ICAR is hosting this workshop featuring organizations that have actually implemented the ICAR ADE standards in their information systems. The speakers of this workshop will explain how they implemented ICAR ADE and answer questions from attendees. If your organization plans to implement ICAR ADE, this is a unique opportunity to hear from the experts. ADE implementation at CRV-Lely-JoinData / Erwin Speybroeck, CRV
13:45 – Challenges and opportunities in the use of milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectra: the experiences learned from the OptiMIR and HappyMoo projects and beyond / Nicolas Gengler, U de Liège	Presentation continues…
14:00 – An equation based on MIR spectra to explore the genetic determinism of spontaneous lipolysis in dairy cows / Marine Gelé, Institut de l’élevage	Challenges of integration and validation of farm and sensor data for dairy herd management / Katharina Schodl, ZuchtData	ADE implementation at Uniform-Agri / Jasper van der Noord, Uniform-Agri
14:15 – Predicting body condition score change in early lactating Irish dairy cows using milk mid infrared spectra / Maria Frizzarin, Teagasc	DataHUB360°, data at the service of breeders / David Saunier, FCEL
14:30 – Valorization of milk spectra: data mining of milk infrared spectra to assess transition success / Mazen Bahadi, Lactanet	Magnitude of the reduction in automatically scored BC from calving to nadir BCS affects the fertility of Holstein cows / Ilka Klass, DeLaval	ADE implementation at iDDEN / Johannes Frandsen, SEGES Innovation P/S
14:45 – New traits predicted from milk mid-infrared spectra to reduce incidence of subclinical ketosis / Christa Egger-Danner, ZuchtData	The Herd Books view of non-standardized data being available from sensors and robots / Vincent Landry, Holstein Canada
HEALTH BREAK	HEALTH BREAK	HEALTH BREAK
15:30 – Milk analysis – New developments in using MIR Spectra Session continued… Within day variation in milk and blood metrics for hyperketonemic and non-hypoketonemic dairy cows / David Barbano, U of Cornell	Using sensor technologies for health and welfare monitoring and recording as part of dairy herd improvement Chair: David Kelton, University of Guelph, on behalf of IDF SCAHW In-farm and environmental THI measurement for mitigation of heat stress in dairy cattle in Italy / Riccardo Negrini, A.I.A.	Animal Data Exchange Workshop – Current implementation examples and Q/A with the experts Session continued… ADE implementation at Rezare / Andrew Cooke, Rezare
15:45 – A tool to predict likelihood of conception to first insemination with milk mid-infrared spectroscopy / Thuy Nguyen, Agriculture Victoria	Early mastitis detection: Can lactoferrin evaluation by EU funded project MOLOKO biosensor help? / Paolo Bulgarelli, Parmalat
16:00 – Improving taste and flavor in dairy product through milk analysis of free fatty by mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometry / Octave Christophe, WARC	Development of herd management and animal breeding tools to improve the resilience and the sustainability of Holstein dairy cows in Spain / Noureddine Charfeddine, CONAFE
16:15 – Mid-Infrared Analyzers:  Herd management milk fatty acid calibration and validation of multiple instruments / David Barbano, U of Cornell	Short poster presentation (5 min) Using sensor technology to detect the onset of digital dermatitis in Holstein cows / Amber Adams Progar
16:30 – Authentication of grazing-related farming practices – Improvement and evaluation of a risk-based selection strategy for on-site farms inspections in the Netherlands / Lukas Spiess, Qlip B.V.	16:20 to 17:00 – Plenary discussion on opportunity and challenges related to use of sensors for health and welfare

• Advanced Analytics for Adding Value to Livestock Data
  Animal improvement systems and on-farm technologies generate vast amounts of data. Our challenge is to transform this data into actionable information for farmers to make informed decisions towards healthier animals, greater productivity, higher efficiency and improved sustainability. Advanced analytics are data analysis tools that include machine learning, predictive analysis and other statistical methods to gain insights and create value from data assets. We welcome submissions that describe initiatives that make use of advance analytics to create value from animal data.
    

• Using sensor technologies for health and welfare monitoring and recording as part of dairy herd improvement
  How to measure, monitor and use sensor technology for dairy herd improvement?  This workshop aims to explore how sensor technologies can improve our ability to record animal welfare and health indicators and status.  How sensor information can contribute to early detection, prevention of health problems and support dairy herd improvement? Which possibilities do these systems offer for genetic improvement? Of interest are also aspects of validation, trait definition and challenges to consider by using this data.
   

• Sustainability in the context of animal
  Livestock sectors are facing new types of challenges globally. Climate change is increasingly impacting how we raise animals for producing high-quality food products and rising consumer awareness is forcing a new level of on-farm accountability. Sustainability is at the forefront of every decision at the farm and consumer levels. The aim of the new ICAR Task Force on Sustainability is to provide a structure and roadmap for how the ICAR members will/should address Sustainability on an ongoing basis in the context of animal recording.
  
  

• Modern approaches and practices in milk
  Given the rapid evolution of dairy farms and technology, the session aims to highlight new developments and possibilities in the offering of Milk Recording services. The presentations will focus on novel approaches to services, both from a practical and scientific perspective.
  
  

• New developments in Sheep, Goat and Camelids within ICAR
  This session will focus on new developments, novel phenotypes and on genomic selection in existing breeding schemes for small ruminants and camelids. As well, camelids, sheep and goats breeding in America should be highlighted in a global reach perspective for ICAR.
   

• Animal identification – New developments and future possibilities
  This session will explore new developments in Animal Identification technologies and future possibilities for how animal identification might be used to support digital transformation across livestock production.

19:00 – Gala Dinner off-site – MEETING POINT AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE HOTEL BONAVENTURE @ 18:00

• Participants to the Gala are invited to be at the entrance of the Hotel Bonaventure from 18:00 to 18:45
• A typical yellow scholar bus will take you to the site of the Gala
• The last bus will leave at 18:45

Friday, June 3

MONTREAL 4-5 (Live Stream)

8:30/10:00 – ICAR/Interbull 2022 Conference Wrap-Up

10:15 – Professional Tours

• TOUR 1 – Lactanet main office in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue
  Participants will have a tour of the Lactanet state-of-the-art milk laboratory, one of the largest in North America. Then, the lunch will be served in the festive and folkloric ambiance of «La Sucrerie de la Montagne». After that hearty meal, our guests will appreciate walking on “le plancher des vaches”, a French expression for the cows’ floor, for the visit of Estermann Farm, one of the best-managed herds in Canada according to Lactanet’s Herd Performance Index. (This tour stops at Montreal-Trudeau international airport on the way back for participants having a late flight – After 20h)
  
  
• TOUR 2 – Boviteq, a division of Semex, in Saint-Hyacinthe – Sponsored by Semex
  Participants will visit the research laboratory of Boviteq, the world leader in the development and implementation of the latest genetic and reproductive techniques, a visit that will surely be very captivating. Then, the lunch will be served in the festive and folkloric ambiance of the «Cabane à sucre» (sugar shack). After that hearty meal, our guests will appreciate walking on “le plancher des vaches”, a French expression for the cows’ floor, for the visit to a dairy farm and artisan cheese maker «Au Gré des champs» that will feature the «savoir-faire» of Canadian dairy farmers. (For this tour, it might be prudent to not book a flight before 22h, as traffic can delay the time of arrival at the hotel)