PBQ sustainability strategy

Sustainability also means that the sector must be profitable, resilient, and adaptable to new situations. That is why one of the key pillars of the PBQ’s strategy is dedicated to economic issues.

Many producers have already adopted practices to optimize resources, reduce losses, and increase the autonomy of their businesses. The aim of the strategy is to support these efforts—and to inspire further efforts—by employing concrete solutions to improve efficiency, deal with market changes, and meet consumer expectations

Income security

Income security and risk management programs

Cattle producers face several financial risks, particularly due to fluctuations in sale prices and input costs. However, in certain circumstances beyond their control, producers can turn to various programs to mitigate their risk and reduce the losses they incur.

This group program protects businesses in the feeder calf, fed cattle, and grain-fed veal sector from fluctuations in market prices and production costs.

Administered by the Financière agricole du Québec (FADQ), ASRA provides compensation if the average sale price for a product is lower than the stabilized income, which in turn is based on production costs for specialized businesses. To find out more, please visit the FADQ’s Farm Income Stabilization Insurance web page.

This program protects harvests from the risks associated with weather conditions and uncontrollable natural phenomena. It provides individual and group coverage. Cattle producers may use ASREC for crops such as hay, corn, and cereals. To find out more, please visit the FADQ’s crop insurance web page.

Agri-stability

This program protects the business’s overall income from major drops in production margin (i.e., those over 30%). 

Click here for more information on the AgriStability program

AgriInvest

This individual program is based on savings. In return for depositing money into an account, the producer receives matched contributions from the government.

ASRA payments are adjusted based on how much producers receive through the AgriInvest program. 

Click here for more information on the AgriInvest program.

Agri-Québec and Agri-Québec Plus

These 100% Quebec programs are top-ups to the AgriInvest and AgriStability programs for non-supply-managed farm businesses operating in sectors not covered by ASRA. In the case of cattle, Agri-Québec and Agri-Québec Plus provide extra support for milk-fed veal production. 

Click to learn more about Agri-Québec and about Agri-Québec Plus.

Income security challenges

Access to short-term financing

Higher input prices, especially prices for dairy and feeder calves, are becoming an issue of concern that is seriously affecting the working capital of businesses in the fed cattle, grain-fed veal, and milk-fed veal sectors.

The maximum thresholds for current programs must be reviewed and adapted to market realities. A new program facilitating access to credit would enable businesses to maintain their production activities.

Filling gaps in existing programs

Taken individually, the ASRA and AgriInvest programs each represent effective risk management tools. However, in practice the elimination of double compensation has caused them to stray from their fundamental objectives, creating situations that are abnormal for many businesses.

The PBQ is assisting affected sectors as they work to remedy these damaging effects that compromise the profitability of many program participants.

The VBP+ and CRSB certification programs are designed to promote engagement in sustainability and profitability. The VBP+ program places emphasis on innovation and production efficiency.

From new crop technologies to superior genetics to smart animal monitoring systems, efficiency and innovation are at the heart of what producers do day in and day out.

Click the logos to learn all about the VBP+ and CRSB certification programs.

 

The PBQ seeks to give producers concrete ways to increase production efficiency and meet market demands. To this end, the organization has developed a wide range of tools and projects. Click below to find out more:

Grain-fed veal:

    • Régiveau software to improve animal health monitoring on grain-fed veal farms
    • Production cost simulator for grain-fed veal producers
    • New method for grading grain-fed veal carcasses
    • Pre-slaughter management systems to maintain carcass quality in grain-fed veal production
    • Grain-fed veal experts’ network
    • Quality indicators for grain-fed veal carcasses (in progress)

Cull cattle

Feeder calves:

Fed cattle:

Veau laitier