Government of Canada Supports Quebec Dairy Producer to Modernize Farm

BISHOPTON, QC, March 14, 2018 /CNW/ - The dairy sector contributes $24 billion to the Canadian economy through sales by farmers and food processors, including over $7 billion in Quebec.

Speaking today at Ferme Élégante, Marie-Claude Bibeau (Compton?Stanstead), Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, highlighted the investments made to modernize Ferme Élégante, a 120-cow farm. Pierre-Paul Boulet and Chantal Fortier are fourth generation dairy farmers, continuing a family farm that has been in operation since 1908. The dairy producers recently upgraded their barn to install a new milking robot, increasing productivity and efficiency, with support from the Dairy Farm Investment Program.

Quotes

"Pierre-Paul Boulet and Chantal Fortier are great examples of forward-looking dairy farmers focused on improving their farm's productivity and driving down costs. I'm glad the Government of Canada has contributed to keep Ferme Élégante's operations innovative and competitive. This is just one of the many ways the Government continues to support the dairy sector to ensure it remains strong."
-          Marie-Claude Bibeau (Compton?Stanstead), Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

"It's a significant investment and it will allow us to modernize our business. With this third generation milking robot, we'll have more reliable data regarding our herd's health and productivity. Our herd management will be more efficient and we will be able to provide higher milk quality."
-          Pierre-Paul Boulet and Chantal Fortier

Quick Facts

• The Ferme Élégante modernization project was supported by the Dairy Farm Investment Program with an investment of over $194,000.
• The Dairy Farm Investment Program is a $250 million, five-year federal investment, providing targeted contributions to help Canadian dairy farmers update farm technologies and systems and improve productivity through upgrades to their equipment.
• To date, over 750 dairy producers have been approved for funding support valued at over $36 million, in a wide array of projects from small investments in cow comfort equipment to large ones for automated milking systems.

Associated Links

• Dairy Farm Investment Program

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada