In 1995, Raynald Roy and his spouse Nancy Therrien determined to transform the household enterprise from conventional dairy cow breeding into an elk and pink deer breeding farm. A twist that turned out to be a win. 28 years later, Ferme Le Roy du Cerf is among the few corporations that controls each stage of manufacturing, from breeding to the sale of the processed merchandise.
Raynald Roy grew up on his dad and mom’ farm in Sainte-Perpétue and took over from them. He says that in 1995 it could have been vital to speculate closely to construct a brand new barn and improve the variety of cows. Monetary establishments had been unwilling to finance this growth. As a substitute, Mr. Roy decides to promote the cows and begin an uncommon breeding enterprise, specifically breeding pink deer and elk.
“It began within the ’90s. A number of producers have began breeding. Many have given up as a result of it’s important to deal with the advertising and marketing.”
200 animals dwell on the Le Roy du Cerf farm. Regardless of its title, there are solely moose as we speak, as Mr. Roy explains. “We began with pink deer and have all the time bred to a bull moose. We crossed animals, we ended up with females and males which might be 95% or extra elk blood. The animal is similar to the moose.”
The mating season extends from September to November and births happen from Might to July. Every feminine can solely have one child.
Elk meat, like many sport meats, has much less fats in comparison with beef. Nancy Therrien describes his style: “Meat is tastier and extra gourmand. The style is finer. Some say it’s near the caribou.” Elk meat is wealthy in iron and protein.
From the farm to the desk
The Le Roy du Cerf farm produces roughly 15,000 kilos of meat per yr. The producer believes that the important thing to the success of his firm is that the corporate markets and processes its merchandise itself.
“We began advertising and marketing ourselves. We have now no alternative however to drive like this. We completely want to lift and promote our meat. You may’t have one with out the opposite: the store doesn’t work if the farm isn’t there and vice versa. »
Raynald Roy
Nancy is answerable for the boutique, which has been based mostly in Drummondville since 2010. Since she and her daughter Karolane undergo from gluten intolerance, the entire boutique’s merchandise are gluten- and allergen-free.
Within the retailer you’ll after all discover items of elk meat, but additionally sausages, chilly cuts, pies, selfmade dishes and desserts. The elk sausages ready by Ms. Therrien comprise fewer preservatives. “It’s much less dangerous to the abdomen as a result of there are fewer nitrites,” she says.
The shop moved to a extra industrial space of Drummondville (Rue Janelle) virtually 5 years in the past. The presence of a SAQ close by ensures an inflow of shoppers who’re open to discovery and more and more loyal, in line with Ms. Therrien.
The shop additionally provides non-traditional meats from different Centre-du-Québec producers, significantly wild boar, ostrich, alpaca, bison, horse, duck, rabbit, guinea fowl, quail and lamb.
Some supermarkets promote Roy du Cerf merchandise in Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke and Quebec. “Grocery shops gained’t have all of the chilly cuts we’ve got in shops,” explains Mr. Roy, who additionally counts a number of eating places amongst his prospects.
One other market the farm is tapping into is elk antlers, referred to as velvet antlers due to the down that covers them. The wooden harvested earlier than calcification is bought to processors who grind it into capsules with none components. Beforehand, some manufacturing was carried out in Quebec, however the variety of consumers of this uncooked materials is reducing.
“All the pieces is disappearing in Alberta. They flip them into powder. We nonetheless have one thing to promote within the retailer, however we purchase it from one other producer,” explains the couple, who produce round 500 kilos of wooden per yr. In accordance with Mr. Roy, this materials has constructive well being properties. “It’s good for blood circulation, arthritis, osteoarthritis.”
And the following technology?
The couple’s three kids are concerned in life on the farm, however it’s too early to conclude that their son or considered one of their daughters will take over as the 2 house owners method retirement. As Ms. Therrien mentions, every little one has their very own space of experience.
“Our son (Anthony) is an electrician, considered one of our daughters (Rachèle) is learning animal manufacturing and he or she is a mechanic at Nicolet in New Holland. Karolane is within the remaining yr of her design research at Cégep de Trois-Rivières. She takes care of the administration and the practice, she is the one who is aware of the animals with Raynald, she additionally takes care of the births. The three are nonetheless a bit concerned. In some unspecified time in the future they need to take over. However they’re nonetheless younger.