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Lake Saint-Pierre

The next generation of farmers

These days, it can seem almost impossible for a young person to start an agribusiness, given the high cost of purchasing farmland. Malurin farm in Saint-Célestin has found a way to help one young person get around this issue.

Farm building and five silos

This dairy farm is owned by Lucie Chabot and Maurice Morin, who have raised cattle for the past 45 years. They have 130 head of cattle, including 60 lactating cows. Most of the herd is made up of Holstein cows.

Three cows stand near a barn

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Because their children were not interested in taking over the farm, Lucie and Maurice decided to take on a younger, unrelated partner to ensure the continuity of their business. This type of association is growing in popularity.

Black and white cow

For their partner Alexis Jeanson-Lemire, age 24, this was an opportunity to realize his dreams.

Young farmer with several black and white cows in a field

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Alexis has been interested in agriculture and farm work since he was 10 years old.

Young farmer holding a black and white calf by the neck.

He studied agriculture at the École d'agriculture de Nicolet.

Young farmer with three calves inside a stable
Alexis Jeanson-Lemire with a Jersey calf and two Holstein calves

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He now works full-time on Malurin farm. He milks the cows twice each day: once at 5:30 a.m. and once at 5 p.m.

Young farmer picking up soiled straw.

Being a partner motivates him to get even more involved in each step of dairy production.

Young farmer holding the head of a light brown cow.

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He is responsible for milking the cows and taking care of the livestock.

Young farmer presenting the bulk milk cooling tank that contains his cows' milk production.
Refrigerated bulk milk tank with a 3,900 litre capacity, used to store two days' milk production

In the past, farmers would sit on a stool like this one to milk each cow by hand. Today, milking machines allow farmers to milk many animals at once, in much less time.

Wooden stool once used for milking.

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Alexis is also interested in improving the genetics of the herd to increase milk production. Each cow is closely monitored, and insemination dates are recorded to predict calving, which occurs after 9 months of pregnancy.

Young farmer presents a breeding wheel that indicates insemination dates.

Breeding wheels and computer programs are used to monitor the cows.

Young farmer consulting a cow gestation file on his computer.

Alexis Jeanson-Lemire is very involved in the community of young farmers, and is President of the Association de la relève agricole de Nicolet, an association of young farmers in the region. He organizes monthly conferences, trips and visits to agribusinesses.

Young farmer seated near his cows on a bale of hay in a stable.

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