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Ferme Panama et Fils awarded for their animal welfare efforts

Longueuil, February 8, 2024 – Agropur is proud to announce that Ferme Panama et Fils SENC has been awarded the title of Grand Champion, Animal Welfare Award, at the 35th edition of Agropur’s Club of Excellence. This honour, which recognizes the work of dairy producers who adopt exemplary animal welfare practices, was presented at Agropur's Annual General Meeting, held on February 7 in Drummondville. 

Located in Saint-Pierre-Baptiste, in Central Quebec, Ferme Panama et Fils came out on top in the ranking, achieving the best results after an analysis of its entry by the jury and an inspection of its facilities. Four other farms were up for the prize. The farm becomes the third Grand Champion of the Animal Welfare component of Agropur's Club of Excellence, inaugurated in 2020.  

Ferme Panama et Fils SENC has 39 milking Holstein cows. Owners Sophie Bédard and Dave Fortier Proulx make it a point to keep the cows on pasture for as long as the weather permits. They also make sure to minimize the risk of injuries among the animals. Their modern barn was carefully thought out to guarantee optimal air quality while their maternity pens ensure the calves get a good head start.  

“Receiving this distinction recognizes both cows on pasture and the efforts of small farms dedicated to dairy production. Becoming a producer is a choice and a vocation, and we are proud to devote ourselves to our cows, who are our allies and our champions. Consumers can have confidence in their local dairy farmers because they are committed to quality work and animal welfare,” said Sophie Bédard and Dave Fortier Proulx as they were presented the award. 

 

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. 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 Panama for their exceptional commitment,” said Roger Massicotte, President of Agropur. 

In addition to the Animal Welfare Award, Agropur's Club of Excellence also recognizes milk quality. The Grand Champion title for this category was awarded to Ferme Okadale in Oka, 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 

[email protected]