Dedicated Dairy Farms : Regenerative agriculture for the climate transition

Dedicated Dairy Farms: Regenerative Agriculture for the Climate Transition

For the greater overall health of Quebec dairy farms, including economic viability of farms, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a positive ecological footprint for the sector, and human and animal well-being at the heart of operations.

Regenerative dairy production: passionate people making a difference!

Dairy cows on pasture, credit: Pascal Viens

Did you know?

Regenerative Agriculture:

  • Soil health: Regenerative agriculture doesn’t just stop soil degradation; it aims to reverse it! By improving the soil ecosystem and restoring its biology, this system also helps improve air and water quality.
  • Contextual adaptability: Regenerative agriculture adapts perfectly to different agricultural realities. Whether for an entire sector or your specific farm, this flexible approach addresses your needs

Dairy farming in Quebec:

  • An essential pillar: Dairy production in Quebec is at the heart of our local food system and contributes actively to the dynamic occupation of our territory.
  • Innovation and sustainability: Quebec dairy producers are constantly innovating and promoting sustainable practices in the industry. They work to maximize economic benefits while respecting the environment.
  • An exemplary carbon footprint: The Canadian dairy sector has one of the lowest greenhouse gas footprints per kilogram of milk worldwide! (AGECO Group, 2018) And that’s not all: Dedicated Dairy Farms go even further by devoting themselves to soil conservation, water quality, and ecosystem health.

Objectives:

  • To support farmers throughout their ecological transition and provide them with the necessary resources (technical, financial, and social) to facilitate the transition to regenerative agriculture.

  • To implement a comprehensive approach to quantify the environmental and economic impact of regenerative practices on dairy farms and optimize decision-making to adopt new practices.

A program of collaboration and innovation

Since 2021, General Mills, Logiag, and Régénération Canada have been developing the Dedicated Dairy Farms program.

The program began with 32 dairy farms. These farms received ongoing support catered to their unique circumstances and requirements, in addition to technical support and result monitoring following the implementation of new practices.

The program is also based on a spirit of collaboration, nurturing the growth of communities of practice* where active listening and knowledge-sharing between producers are central values.

Join a network of producers and specialists to share experiences, learn from each other, and collaborate to implement innovative practices. These networks facilitate the creation of a supportive community, which is essential for those who, like you, are transitioning to regenerative agriculture.

*A community of practice is an exchange network that facilitates sharing experiences and collaboration to implement innovative practices. The group consists of individuals who wish to perfect a shared practice through the exchange of ideas, mutual support, dialogue, and feedback in a small group. Source: Claude Champagne, Louis Langelier, Carrefour RH

 



We are currently looking for 106 new farms to join this program.

Register for our next information sessions by clicking on the link below:


– REGISTER HERE –

A Sector-wide Mobilization Approach

Régénération Canada promotes networking between the producers involved by overseeing communities of practice and professional co-development. Our role within Dedicated Dairy Farms is to support this ecological transition by developing and sharing educational content and training activities, while facilitating exchanges between peers. Producers are truly at the heart of our approach. Together, we’re building a sustainable future for dairy production in Quebec.

The Regeneration Canada team can count on the expertise of the following contributors to the strategic and technical development of the program :



  • Steve Adam,P.Ag. consultant, expert in well-being and comfort

  • Aurélie Sierra, environmental sociologist

  • Pascal Viens, dairy producer, Ferme Vimo (2010), Inc.

  • Nathan Kaiser, co-owner, Ferme Imperiale S.E.N.C.

  • Kornel Schneider, dairy farmer, Ferme Rêveuse

  • Véronique Ouellet, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Université Laval

  • François Labelle, agr., agronomist, organic dairy production expert, Lactanet

  • Brian Maloney, pastured beef and lamb producer, Ferme Brylee

  • Frédérique Lavallée, agronomist and doctoral student, Écoboeuf

  • Jean-François Messier, field crop producer


The specialists work with producers to create innovative solutions adapted to their context.

 

What program partner farms have achieved to date



  • GHG inventories were completed on all 32 farms
  • Created a personalized 5-year climate transition plan for each farm. This plan outlines the GHG emissions impacts of the regenerative practices to be implemented 
  • Implementation of regenerative and GHG-reducing practices in 2023-2024, such as:
    • Diversified grasslands
    • Cover crops;
    • Trials to reduce the amount of fertilizer applied;
    • Planning for better manure management;
    • Reducing the number of replacement animals;
    • Planning to improve animal comfort (e.g. building plans or building layout). 
  • Meetings with agricultural specialists (nutrition, seeds, herd management, fertilization, etc.) to present the regenerative approach and practices;
  • Acquisition of expertise in the following aspects:
    • GHG and climate transition;
    • Sources of emissions on the farm (methane production by dairy cattle, slurry emissions, etc.);
    • Crop rotation and carbon sequestration;
    • Animal welfare and herd management;
    • Feed rations and GHGs.
  • Networking between the involved farms to promote knowledge transfer and development of local communities of practice. 
  • Professional co-development sessions to encourage communication and knowledge sharing between producers.

Is this program for me?

This program is designed for you, Quebec dairy producers, to help you adopt regenerative practices and reduce your GHG footprint. The aim is to reduce your farm’s environmental footprint while increasing its profitability and resilience in the face of climate change.

By participating, you become leaders of the dairy regenerative movement in your communities and industry. Our approach is based on your technical and social needs, as well as your challenges. We work with you as partners, learning from your experiences to help you change your farming practices.

You won’t be adopting pre-set protocols. Instead, you’ll be participating in the co-development and experimentation of new practices adapted to your economic, social, and environmental realities.

 

 

Are you an agronomist, consultant, or industry actor interested in this program? ?

We want to talk to you!

Contact Antonious Petro, Director: antonious@regenerationcanada.org