dairy

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

CARLETON-SUR-MER – As a result of the blizzard that hit the Gaspé Peninsula on February 16 and 17, the region’s dairy producers had to dispose of their milk, as milk trucks were unable to collect and transport the production to processing plants in Victoriaville and Plessisville, in Centre-du-Québec, on February 17. 

“The road closures meant that we had to dispose of the milk. This is the first time in my life. I had never experienced disposing of milk in relation to a snowstorm,” said Normand Barriault, regional spokesperson for the Dairy Producers of Québec. 

Trucks were unable to travel between the region and major processing centres due to the closure of Highway 132 in the Gaspé Peninsula and Lower Saint Lawrence during the height of the blizzard. 

The regional spokesperson did not have an exact report on the quantities discarded in the Gaspé Peninsula. 

“Given that we are rationalizing as much as possible, we organize ourselves so that the trucks are very active. The next day, they have to pick up other producers. It really hurt my heart,” notes the producer. 

Milk can only be stored on the farm for up to 48 hours and must be processed within 72 hours. 

According to preliminary calculations, approximately 600,000 litres of milk were discarded out of a daily provincial production of 10 million litres. 

The loss will be collectively absorbed by all dairy producers in Quebec. 

“It’s poor compensation, but the producer will be paid for his work. But working so hard, and being forced to dispose of it because of a storm, that’s what hurts the most,” says Mr. Barriault. 

The processors are not involved in this compensation process. 

The year 2024 was a good year for producers. While the cost of inputs has decreased, interest rates have risen. The price paid for dairy calves has reached record levels. 

“I don’t understand how the consumer is going to pay for this meat in the long term. But financially, producers are doing relatively well,” comments the producer. 

Like other sectors of the Canadian economy, farmers are concerned about the situation in the United States, as President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on several Canadian products. 

“I hope that this will awaken some consumers to the trend of eating Canadian. I hope that this trend will bear fruit, to demonstrate that we have the right to our food self-sufficiency. Let’s stop looking at the United States as an outlet and go to other countries,” says Mr. Barriault. 

The upward trend in dairy product consumption continues, driven largely but the growing number of immigrants.