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 Meet the Farmer: Caroline Fortin, Sainte-Marie, Quebec Profitability, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability are at the heart of Caroline Fortin’s vision for the beef farm she and her husband, Kaven Bégin, operate in Sainte-Marie, Quebec. “The way we raise cattle is very humane and works in harmony with nature,” Fortin said. “It also allows us to make productive use of land that is not well suited to crop production while contributing to biodiversity. We work hard to withstand global pressures while keeping family farms resilient and aligned with the values that matter to society: health, the environment and animal welfare. We can be proud of Canadian beef and our beef producers.” Cattle for Climate  The farm’s production system is based around rotationally grazing their 390 beef cows through several small, fenced paddocks every three to four days to allow plants to regenerate, maintain ground cover and aid in carbon sequestration.They also participate in the Cattle for Climate project, a Quebec government initiative that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on cattle farms. That has led Fortin to focus on improving forage quality by overseeding with legumes to increase the nutritional value and productivity of their pastures, and on manure management, experimenting with covering manure piles to limit nitrogen loss. Building a purebred herd While she grew up on a dairy and maple syrup farm in eastern Quebec, Fortin had always wanted to be a beef producer, so when she met Bégin, who was raised on a cattle farm, they decided to start their first commercial herd.  “We rented land and buildings while both of us also worked off-farm jobs,” she said. “Then, in 2018, we purchased the family operation from Kaven’s parents, Louise and Bernard. At that point, we also acquired the purebred herd, and we now have 330 purebred Charolais and Angus cows, as well as a herd of 60 commercial Angus cross Simmental cows.” The farm is also home to 3,400 pigs, but its core business is selling breeding bulls. Every spring, they hold their own bull auction, with bidding available both on-site and online. Their 2026 bull sale catalogue listed 70 lots, each with accompanying videos bidders could view before the sale. “It keeps us very busy, but it allows us to keep close track of our animals and know them down to the smallest detail,” Fortin said. “It is always a major source of stress for several months, however, because the financial results of an entire year’s work depend heavily on the outcome of that sale.” Motivated by passion Fortin’s three children, Anabelle, William and Noémie, love to help out on the farm. Although Fortin is driven by her own passion for beef production, they also motivate her to keep thriving and improving.  “What motivates us most here is passion—a passion fuelled by all our customers, who are also constantly pushing themselves to improve. It creates a shared and contagious drive to help beef production thrive,” she said. “That passion pushes us to carry on the work of the generations that came before us, take it even further, and hope to pass that same passion on to the generations that follow.” Fortin enjoys a challenge and constantly strives to improve the operation, and is especially interested in the genetics, business management, and working with animals and customers. She is proud of how their operation has evolved, with significant progress in herd genetics and improvements in land and grazing management. Advice to live by Fortin recalls that the best advice she ever received about farming, from another entrepreneur, was the importance of respect, and it has become central to the farm and the family’s lives. “In agriculture, I see it as respect for our fellow farmers, customers, employees and neighbours; respect for animals; respect for nature; respect for our values; and respect for those who came before us,” she said. “Keeping a farm running depends on a delicate balance between finances, livestock, machinery and the team’s health. It can be a difficult journey at times, but I believe a strong network of contacts and friends can be a tremendous help when that balance becomes fragile.” Winter brings calving season, and it is Fortin’s favourite time on the farm. “It is the season when everything begins, when we see the first calves from the different genetic lines arrive, and when we are 100% focused on the animals,” she said. “It is also the season when our yearling bulls develop. It is an intense time when we get to see the results of several years of genetic work take shape on many levels at once.” During those busy times, Fortin’s go-to family fuel is Mini Sirloin Beef Burgers. “They’re quick and nutritious – perfect for feeding all the little mouths at home,” she said. Our Meet the Farmer: International Year of the Woman Farmer campaign launched in January 2026 and will run the full calendar year. A Canadian woman owner-operator is announced each month on our social channels, with detailed information provided in Canada Beef Performs and on our website. Submitted by Angela Lovell, freelance writer, and Gina Teel, Director, Stakeholder Communications Back to main page |
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