After studying orthopedagogy and teaching for twelve years in Quebec and then in Alberta, Sylviane Beaudry decided to take over the family farm at the age of 35, without ever having milked a cow. Meeting with a producer with an atypical career, who has a forehead all around her head and who is directly connected to sustainable development.
“In 2005, I decided to return to Quebec to take over my parents’ farm, which has been in our family since 1840. I wanted to return to my roots, to my heritage, to connect with nature and the animals, to raise my children in the countryside and to bequeath to them what my ancestors had started. My brother, who was to take over, had decided to move into another profession, I didn’t want the farm to be sold, and I was ripe for a change of life. Sylviane Beaudry didn’t know what she was getting into. But she knew she was ready to meet the challenge or rather. “My parents never pressured us to take over. Education was very important to them, and they wanted to give us free choice in life.
So I had to learn on the job when I came back. She visited many farms, spoke with producers, followed training courses, attended conferences where, by her own admission, she did not understand much at first. And, above all, she knew how to surround herself well. Mother of three children – she was pregnant when she returned to Quebec – she very quickly had to juggle farm-family reconciliation. “When my father handed over the reins to me, he trusted me. He let me do some trial and error, and he guided me when I needed it. But he never had to deal with the organizational challenges faced by a mother. »
Her secret: tight planning, because the job of dairy farmer is demanding and requires great versatility. “We touch on everything: personnel management, mechanics, technology, accounting, health, biology. The work is routine, but the days are not alike. You have to deal with the unexpected and be available 365 days a year. »
A commitment to the environment that is not new
Over the years, the six successive generations at the Clerjoye farm have all contributed to the evolution and improvement of agricultural practices while respecting nature. “If I want to ensure the continuity of the business for the benefit of my family, that necessarily involves an environmental consideration. It’s very important to me, as it was to my parents and those before them. Dairy farmers don’t want to pollute, they want to bequeath a healthy farm to their descendants – which means healthy cows, soil and also healthy finances. My parents, who were among the founding members of the local agro-environmental club, installed a windbreak hedge over twenty years ago in addition to participating in numerous initiatives. They were pioneers in sustainable development. »
“If I want to ensure the continuity of the business for the benefit of my family, that necessarily involves environmental consideration. It’s very important to me, as it was to my parents and those before them. »
Sylviane Beaudry, in a spirit of continuity, continues to work with the ProConseil Group, which notably brings together specialists in agro-environment and agricultural management. Over the years, it has planted a riparian strip and a windbreak hedge which today has 1,700 trees and shrubs. This major project, aimed at promoting biodiversity and preventing the loss of soil and nutrients to waterways, required a significant investment of time and money, despite the granting of substantial subsidies. “We take all the necessary steps and we take all the actions to improve our environmental record, she specifies. But we do this according to our means because we live off our land, we must not forget that. »
Animal comfort is good for the planet
The most important project undertaken at the Clerjoye farm – and the most expensive – was the complete repair of the barn, which required a long reflection on the part of the producer, who visited about sixty of them before moving on to the stock. “The layout of the building had to ensure the comfort of the cows, which is in itself an environmental measure, because it allows them to live better and longer. I also wanted to increase the quality of life of the people who work there. And finally, I wanted my barn to be strong and durable and still look good to me 20 years from now. »
Since 2016, Sylviane Beaudry’s cows have lived freely in an “infield”, a beautiful, bright and well-ventilated space where they can lie down comfortably. And the producer likes to spend time there with them!
Technology at the service of producers
At the heart of the barn repair project, the acquisition of milking robots and feeding robots has made it possible to ensure the health, longevity and productivity of the herd. “Reading the data provided by these robots gives us a lot of information about the state of the animals. Certain indicators can signal that a cow is about to be sick, and we can intervene quickly. It also allows us to act preventively, which minimizes the use of antibiotics. It’s clear that our cows are healthier than ever. »
The interpretation of the data obviously cannot be improvised. To develop her expertise, the producer, who is part of the data analysis group of the agro-environmental group ProConseil, has taken training, listened to podcasts and, above all, exchanged with other producers. “These meetings are very rich, they allow us to talk about our problems and our successes. Producers who do not leave their homes will not have the chance to move forward and change their ways. »
A legacy for future generations
Sylviane Beaudry is passionate about living on the farm and practicing this profession, which she discovered somewhat late. “My journey has been atypical, I’ve had a lot of experiences, I’ve traveled a lot, and I’ve also had to make a lot of compromises. The children are proud of what we do, I feel it when they show their friends around the farm. But as my parents wanted for me, I want them to experience something else. I still work hard so that the company is healthy, that it is attractive to them! I would very much like the farm to continue, and that some of my children or those of my spouse, who also has three, form the seventh generation to take the reins of the Clerjoye farm. And if they are not interested, we will find an unrelated replacement! »
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