When their main building became obsolete in 2022, Charles and Marie-Claude from Ferme Sélection S.E.N.C. in Saint-Côme-Linière took the opportunity to make their facilities more efficient and ergonomic. The first step was to identify existing issues on their farm. Afterwards, they reached out to David Gilbert, owner of Équipements de Ferme Haute-Beauce (EFHB), and his team to analyze the main areas for improvement at Ferme Sélection, leveraging the company’s experience in industrial production optimization:
• Employee well-being • Cow comfort • Maintenance costs • Routine task automation • Construction cost savings through building ergonomics
After several meetings, the EFHB team designed a whole new building concept where they restructured every area of the farm production floor. This helped streamline the equipment required to automate feeding, manure management and bedding distribution. Such operations made up the bulk of every work day at Ferme Sélection.
Moreover, all the equipment was installed at the front of the building to reduce electrical installation costs and ultimately automate as many tasks as possible with a minimal budget. Every piece of equipment was positioned strategically to help workers move efficiently across the stable. Last but not least, a mezzanine was built above the milking room to give farm managers a comprehensive view of their facilities, workflows and herd status. An office was even set up on the premises, which helped save on square footage and construction costs. Now, it only takes managers under five minutes every morning to get an overview of the feeding room (mixer and belt feeder) and manure management area (pumping and separation) for the entire herd. Instead of making full rounds, they can simply take a quick look at the stable as needed throughout the day.
To name a few key benefits, Britespan buildings come with the best warranty on the market, and the company innovates daily to foster product adaptability based on client needs while keeping in line with Canadian building standards.
The free-standing structure also allows farmers to optimize their floor plan in order to reduce equipment installation costs. The polyethylene fabric is UV protective and allows daylight to shine through. Natural light not only supports cow gestation, but also helps reduce electricity costs for overhead lighting. The hot-dip galvanized steel structure is a must-have to ensure the longevity of farm buildings. Robustly constructed with double arches, it meets building leader Britespan’s high standards and is ISO-9001 certified.
Another crucial concern was ventilation, and the new building design allows more fresh air to circulate inside the stable. Constant airflow and steady temperatures help keep the cows healthy while providing them with more natural living conditions. Last but not least, Ferme Sélection’s dedicated owners and workers have seen their quality of life at work significantly improve—meaning they have more time to enjoy their personal life and be with their family.
In terms of future projects, the EFHB team is conducting ongoing projects at Ferme Sélection to help the farmers become more self-sufficient. Stay tuned for more updates!
This summer, Ferme Sélection will replace a farming machinery warehouse that collapsed in 2023 with a second Britespan building.
Les Équipements Agrobul Inc. has been in business since 2014 and handles Quebec sales from its Saint-Pie-de-Guire headquarters, serving customers in Montérégie, a large part of Estrie and some underserved remote areas. Having studied agriculture and worked in the field for over 20 years, the company’s leaders overcame their fair share of farming challenges!
Équipements de Ferme Haute-Beauce (EFHB) is based in La Guadeloupe and caters to the Beauce region as well as some Estrie towns. EFHB’s owner was also raised by farmers.
Both companies employ a team of experienced installers and provide unparalleled after-sale support.
