Ferme Okadale's dedication to quality milk rewarded
Longueuil, February 8, 2024 – Agropur is proud to announce that Ferme Okadale Inc. has been awarded the title of Grand Champion, Milk Quality Award, at the 35th edition of Agropur’s Club of Excellence. This honour, which recognizes the work of dairy producers committed to offering milk of exceptional quality, was presented at Agropur's Annual General Meeting, held on February 7 in Drummondville.
Located in Oka, in the Lower Laurentians, Ferme Okadale came out on top, achieving the highest score after an analysis of its milk quality and an inspection of its facilities. It beat out 13 other regional champion farms to claim its second Grand Champion1, Milk Quality Award.
Ferme Okadale has been owned and operated by Benoit Dagenais and Anik Lalande since 2016, with the support of Benoit's parents, Michel and Andrée. The three-generation farm, with a herd of 45 milking Holstein cows, has also distinguished itself as Regional Champion on five occasions. It also won the Master Breeder title in 2004 and 2018.
“Winning this award is a great reward for the teamwork we do, and we're proud to do it as a family. The Club of Excellence is a testament to the quality of our dairy production and the efforts of our producers. Being one of the finalists was already an honour for us, and we congratulate all the other regional finalists,” said Michel Dagenais on receiving the award. Mr. Dagenais is the previous owner of his son's farm and is still involved in the business.
Know-how and commitment
“For 35 years, Agropur's Club of Excellence has been recognizing the best results among our members and promoting overall improvement in milk quality and in everyone's work. The efforts of all producers are essential to offering consumers healthy products that meet the highest quality standards and animal welfare expectations. To be named Grand Champion requires a great deal of dedication and know-how in the face of the many challenges of dairy farming. I would like to congratulate the members of Ferme Okadale for their exceptional commitment,” said Roger Massicotte, President of Agropur.
In addition to the Milk Quality award, Agropur's Club of Excellence also recognizes animal welfare efforts. The Grand Champion title for this category was awarded to Ferme Panama et Fils SENC of Saint-Pierre-Baptiste, Quebec, at Agropur's Annual General Meeting.
Since 1988, the Club of Excellence has recognized the best results achieved by Agropur member dairy producers. More than 2,000 regional winners have joined the Club since its inception.
Watch the video on the Club of Excellence’s 35 years.
About Agropur
Agropur is Canada’s largest dairy cooperative and one of the leading suppliers of dairy products to the retail, food service, and industrial sectors in North America. Founded in 1938, the Cooperative is a source of pride to its nearly 3,000 members in Quebec, Ontario, and the Atlantic provinces, and close to 7,500 employees. Operating 30 plants in Canada and the United States, Agropur generated sales of over $8.2 billion Canadian in 2023 and processed over 6.6 billion litres of milk. The Cooperative’s members and employees work together every day to achieve a shared vision—“Better Dairy. Better World.”—aimed at the economic and social development of their communities, while respecting the environment and animal welfare.
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Source:
Agropur Dairy Cooperative
Information and interview requests:
Guillaume Berube
Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications
(438) 506-5948