Canadian government invests in modernizing Quebec dairy farm

A new milking robot will be installed to increase productivity and efficiency on the dairy farm that has been in operation since 1908.

“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 of Ferme Élégante, said.

The Dairy Farm Investment Program is a C$250m (US$193m) five-year federal investment designed to support the productivity and market competitiveness of Canadian dairy sector, which contributes C$24bn (US$18.5bn) to the Canadian economy.

To date, more than 750 dairy producers have been approved for funding support valued at more than C$36m (US$28m), in a wide array of projects from small investments in cow comfort equipment to large ones for automated milking systems.

“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,”​ Marie-Claude Bibeau (Compton–Stanstead), Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, said.