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About the Production
of Quebec Milk-Fed Veal |
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| As Canada’s leading veal producer, Quebec accounts for 80% of the country’s total production. Our veal enjoys a well-established reputation, with 50% of our veal meat sold outside Quebec. |
| Veal production at a glance |
Milk-fed veal production flourished in the early 1980s. Before then, farmers were at a loss as to what to do with the male veal calves produced by our many dairy cows, and our milk by-products (milk powder) were not being sold.
Inspired by the European model, our producers decided to forge ahead and combine these two |
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| critical production components. A few years later, they came out winners! They succeeded in developing a thriving agricultural sector and, above all, in providing consumers with high-quality meat, sought after for its tenderness, pale pink and delicate taste. |
| From the dairy farm… |
It all starts at the dairy farm, where, to produce milk, the
cow must also produce calves. After a nine-month gestational period, the cow delivers a small veal calf. The future of the young calf will depend on its gender. Male veal calves are destined for veal production, whereas female calves (heifers) ultimately become dairy cows. |
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…to the veal farm |
| Male dairy calves. generally Holstein, are bought by veal producers who, during the 20-week rearing period, provide optimum conditions for the calves: a balanced diet, a healthy environment and personalized care-everything needed to ensure their comfort, good health and growth! |
| Milk-fed veal production in Quebec: a few statistics |
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213 farms located primarily in the Saint-Hyacinthe, Bois-Francs and Quebec City regions |
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Annual production of 167,000 veal calves |
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Farmgate value of $175 million |
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175,000 veal calves produced by Quebec’s dairy farms available to producers |
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A type of production that often attracts young families, thereby ensuring future generations for this agricultural sector |
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The average family farm produces 700 veal calves yearly |
Did you know? |
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In its lifetime, a milk-fed veal calf will drink the equivalent of 2000 litres of milk. Milk-fed veal calves are given top-quality milk that is also used in human food products, such as high energy drinks. |
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