MPs Respond to Invitation to Tour a Dairy Farm

Liberal MPs having their own #Cowmoment during a visit of Sonibrand Farms in St. Isidore, Ontario on June 6, 2016. “I’m happy to bring my colleagues to visit a dairy farm in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. Dairy farmers contribute greatly to the Canadian rural economy and it’s important that the decision makers witness the innovation taking place in the sector,” said Francis Drouin, Liberal MP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. Image: CNW Group/Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC).

The Bühlmann family of Sonibrand Farms opened their barn doors to their federal Member of Parliament Francis Drouin, along with several other Liberal MPs and staff from the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC), for a guided tour of their family farm. Located 45 minutes from Parliament Hill, the Bühlmann's own and operate a modern dairy farm, milking 100 cows with two robotic milkers.

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"Canadian dairy farmers are very passionate and dedicated to producing high quality nutricious Canadian milk and what better way to show it than to host a farm tour," said Caroline Émond, Executive Director of Dairy Farmers of Canada. "It is important for elected officials to meet a dairy farm family and see firsthand the dedication and care that goes into operating a modern dairy farm."

The Liberal MPs touring the farm hailed from both urban and rural ridings in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. In addition to Agriculture Committee member Francis Drouin, the group included: Agriculture Committee Chair Pat Finnigan; Agriculture Committee member MP Alaina Lockhart; Liberal Rural Caucus Chair Mike Bossio; and MPs Brenda Shannahan and Julie Dabrusin.

MPs toured the farm, learned about a day in the life of a dairy farmer, and had the opportunity to learn about DFC's sustainability initiative, proAction. At the end of the tour, MPs were given an opportunity to take photos with a calf and have their very own #cowmoment.

"I'm happy to bring my colleagues to visit a dairy farm in Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. Dairy farmers contribute greatly to the Canadian rural economy and it's important that the decision makers witness the innovation taking place in the sector," said Francis Drouin, Liberal MP for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.

Canadian dairy farmers and DFC are always happy to host farm tours, and we are already planning to offer tours to all opposition caucuses this fall.

Quick Facts
As a key economy driver of the national economy, the industry contributes:

• $19 Billion a year to Canada's GDP
• $3.6 Billion in taxes each year
• Supports 215,000 jobs

SOURCE Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC)