2021/12/21 – Helping Resilient BC Dairy Farmers Bounce Back
Guelph (ON) and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (QC), December 21, 2021
To help dairy farmers in British Columbia bounce back from the tragic November floods, Lactanet Canada recently donated $25,000 to the BC Dairy Emergency Recovery Fund held by BC Dairy, who will identify immediate needs and facilitate funding.
BC has been impacted by three disasters in the past six months with a loss of 1.3 million farm animals. On December 7, 2021, Global News reported 450 cows who died in the floodwaters across the Fraser Valley. Animals that survived continue to be monitored after standing in water, without food or fresh water during evacuation. Damage to homes, barns, dairy facilities, equipment and roadways are extensive.
“While we acknowledge that rebuilding and clean-up efforts will take time, we want to offer the BC dairy community hope and some financial assistance,” mentioned Barbara Paquet, Chair of the Board of Directors, Lactanet Canada.
In addition to the $25,000 corporate donation, an outpour of support has also come from Lactanet employees who have personally contributed over $8,000 to BC dairy farmers as part of a Lactanet internal giving initiative. “Our staff care deeply about the well-being of our customers and are passionate about the dairy industry in general and we were moved by their compassion and generosity,” stated mentioned Neil Petreny, CEO, Lactanet Canada.
In addition to COVID, farmers in BC have had more than their share of challenges this year with temperatures souring to 49.6 degrees Celsius in the heat done, followed by wildfires and the recent flooding. The intention for the $33,000 donation is to offer BC dairy farmers some level of relief and a chance to build back their livelihood. For anyone who would like consider supporting BC dairy farmers for an end-of-year contribution, please visit https://bcdairy.ca/bcfloodrecovery/.
About Lactanet Canada
Lactanet is the leading dairy herd improvement organization responsible for milk recording, genetic evaluations, knowledge transfer and dairy cattle traceability. As a farmer-run organization serving 8,000+ Canadian dairy producers, Lactanet provides the dairy industry with products and services to help manage their dairy operation for maximum efficiency and profitability.
About the BC Dairy Association
BC Dairy is a farmer led not-for-profit association that represents and supports BC’s dairy farmers and promotes milk. In response to interest from the public, an Emergency Recovery Fund has been established where all funds raised will be used to support the BC dairy community impacted by the floods.
For more information
Geneviève Clermont, Director Marketing and Communications, Lactanet Canada
