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Owned 50% by Quebec cattle producers and 50% by Gestion STM, Réseau Encans Québec (REQ) markets more than 80% of livestock sold through the auction system in Quebec. The two groups agreed to team up to share a common vision: to build, together, a modern, dynamic live animal auction system in Quebec to offer producers and all stakeholders high-quality services at competitive prices.
Created in 2002, REQ employs more than sixty people and operates three sites (Saint-Isidore, Saint-Hyacinthe and Danville). It also offers specific services in St-Hyacinthe, the Outaouais-Laurentides and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions as well as a cattle assembly yard in St-Cyrille de Wendover. Over 470,000 animals (cattle, sheep, hogs, goats), or more than 75% of livestock sold through Quebec's auction system is handled by our establishments each year, with annual sales exceeding $150 million. Good animal welfare conditions and respect for environmental regulations are priorities for managers at Réseau Encans Québec.
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Business partnerships In recent years, the FPBQ has developed various business partnerships in sectors strategic to cattle production. These collective business investments represent one of the pillars of an innovative marketing strategy. Through their concrete commitment, producers secure the sale of their products and maintain competitiveness between buyers. Their close involvement improves cattle marketing and enhances producers' net income. It all started with Réseau Encans Québec (REQ), created in April 2002. The Réseau is the outcome of an equal partnership between the FPBQ and a group of auction owners, Groupe STM. Fed cattle producers also acquired the Z. Billette slaughterhouse, which they collectively owned until it closed in 2007. In 2006, cull cattle producers acquired the Levinoff-Colbex S.E.C slaughter and processing facility. These acquisitions were carried out after many information and consultation tours with producers and were all approved by the Régie des marchés agricoles et alimentaires du Québec.
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