2024 Lait’xcellent Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Les Producteurs de lait du Québec rewards three dairy farms for having the best quality milk in Quebec

Saint-Hyacinthe, April 16, 2025 – Ferme Gagnonval in Sainte-Hénédine, Ferme Morine in Coaticook and Ferme de la Carrière in Upton finished in the top three positions in Quebec due to the exceptional quality of their milk. They received the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards respectively in the 2024 edition of the Lait’xcellent competition. The recipients received their awards at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Les Producteurs de lait du Québec.

Videos showing the 2024 Lait’xcellent competition winners can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

2024 Gold Lait’xcellent Award

Ferme Gagnonval Inc., Sainte-Hénédine, Chaudière-Appalaches-Sud

Marc and Daniel Gagnon of Ferme Gagnonval, located in Sainte-Hénédine in the Chaudière-Appalaches-Sud region, have around thirty lactating cows and 100 acres of farmland. The brothers focus on prevention and rigorous management of their herd to maintain the quality of their milk. Feed, genetics, animal care and equipment maintenance are priorities. They also keep themselves informed to improve their practices. After spending over 40 years building their enterprise and working together, Marc and Daniel have decided to retire from milk production this fall. They will continue to farm their land and intend to spend more time in their sugar bush.

Marc and Daniel have received “Very Great Distinction” certificates on numerous occasions in recent years, and this is the second time in the same number of years that they have been provincial winners in Quebec, something they are very proud of. This is a wonderful way for them to finish their adventure in dairy production.

2024 Silver Lait’xcellent Award

Ferme Morine, Coaticook, Estrie

Véronique Lévesque and Réjean Morin have been the owners of Ferme Morine, which is located in Coaticook in Estrie, since 2001. The couple spends a lot of time in the barn and concentrates on prevention to ensure the health and well-being of their animals. Their herd has 35 lactating cows. They are very attached to their cows. They really want to see their cows live for a long time and produce a lot of milk. Véronique and Réjean have passed on their passion for agriculture to their sons Jérémi and Frédéric. For instance, Frédéric has worked full time with his parents for almost two years now. He is the fourth generation to work in the business. Ferme Morine has stood out for many years because of the quality of its milk and has received good results in the Carbon-Neutral Milk Living Laboratory project.

In addition to making the podium of the Lait’xcellent competition for a fifth consecutive year, Ferme Morine has received two “Great Distinction” and five “Very Great Distinction” certificates in recent years.

2024 Bronze Lait’xcellent Award

Ferme de la Carrière Inc., Upton, Montérégie-Est

Émilie Courchesne and Martin Joubert of Ferme de la Carrière, located in Upton in the Montérégie-Est region, have 60 lactating cows, all Holsteins. They meticulously look after their farm and closely monitor the health of each cow. Émilie and Martin love what they do. They love working outdoors and overcoming the broad range of challenges involved in managing their enterprise. The couple has three children who are increasingly helping out with the farm work, which makes them very proud.

Émilie and Martin have received several “Very Great Distinction” certificates in recent years, and this is the second time that they have been provincial winners in Quebec. The first time they achieved this was in 2011. Since then, they have expanded the barn and their herd. To them, winning this second Lait’xcellent award validates their success and good management.

Milk quality is a priority for producers

In Quebec, as in Canada, milk quality standards are among the highest in the industry, with stringent requirements on the absence of antibiotics in milk and the prohibition of growth hormones for animals.

Quebec dairy producers practice optimal quality management by adhering to the strict rules of the Canadian Quality Milk program, which aims to prevent, monitor, and reduce food safety risks on the farm. This program is one of the components of proAction, a sustainable farm management initiative for dairy producers.

About Lait’xcellent

The Lait’xcellent competition has been held every year since 1987 by Les Producteurs de lait du Québec to reward the dairy farms in each region that achieve the best quality results as well as three provincial winners.

Learn more about LAIT’XCELLENT

About Les Producteurs de lait du Québec

About Les Producteurs de lait du Québec

Les Producteurs de lait du Québec, affiliated with the UPA, represents Quebec’s 4,087 dairy farms, which deliver roughly 3.60 billion litres of milk, for a total of over $3.61 billion in farm revenues. Milk production and processing create around 66,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs in Quebec and contribute as much as $6.1 billion to the gross domestic product. Ultimately, they generate over $1 billion in tax revenues. The dairy sector’s impacts are critical because they play a role in land occupancy and maintenance of the social fabric across the province. Through its sponsorship and milk donation program, Les Producteurs de lait du Québec not only supports key events in Quebec society, but also helps eliminate hunger and ensure food security. Because they care about sustainable development in their sector, dairy producers invested $649 million in 2025 in machinery, equipment and buildings, specifically to improve their practices and the comfort of their animals.

For more information, visit our website at www.lait.org or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

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François Dumontier
Director – Communications, Public Affairs and Union
Les Producteurs de lait du Québec
Office : (438) 315-9129
Cell : (514) 713-0530
[email protected]