Our Story

The Gillette Farm

The Gillette farm, nestled in Embrun, Ontario, has a rich history that spans five generations of the Patenaude family. The name Gillette originates from the combination of the names Gilles and Lorette. It all began in 1878 when Dr. Gilles Patenaude's grandfather settled on the farm, marking the start of a century-long legacy. However, it was Dr. Gilles and his wife, Lorette, who set the family on a path to excellence in Holstein farming.

In 1958, Dr. Gilles made a pivotal decision, purchasing the family dairy farm from his father and making the bold move to switch to purebred Holsteins in 1960. His reason was simple but profound – he sought the best in everything he did. Joined by his four sons, Marc, Louis, Vincent, and Mathieu, and their respective families, the Patenaude family embarked on a journey to achieve greatness in dairy farming.

Their relentless pursuit of excellence was met with challenges along the way. In 1994, tragedy struck when a devastating fire claimed 205 cows and the main facilities of Ferme Gillette. Among the survivors was the legendary Gillette Blackstar Christiane, who would go on to be named Holstein Canada's Cow of the Year in 2000. This was the third fire the Patenaudes faced, but their love for farming kept them going.

Dr. Gilles Patenaude's life was marked by perseverance and dedication. Despite struggling with dyslexia, he overcame academic challenges through his competitive spirit, excelling in various sports during his time at the University of Toronto. His journey to becoming a dentist required significant financial sacrifices and taught him the value of investing, lessons that would serve him well throughout his career.

The legacy of Dr. Gilles Patenaude extends beyond his personal achievements. It lives on through his four sons – Marc, Louis, Vincent, and Mathieu – each contributing their expertise to the family farm. From field crops and elite genetics to large commercial herds and machinery, the Patenaude brothers have diversified and strengthened the farm's operations.

The story of Ferme Gillette is one of resilience and continuous improvement. Their dedication to breeding top-quality Holsteins led to a remarkable list of accomplishments, including Master Breeder shields, All-Canadian awards, Class Extra Sires, World Record Producers, and recognition as Canadian and International Cow's of the Year. Their commitment to excellence resulted in the establishment of one of the world's finest dairy herds.

Through the decades, Ferme Gillette faced both triumphs and tribulations. From their first foray into purebred Holsteins in 1960 to their pioneering achievements in the dairy industry, the Patenaude family's dedication to quality and success has left an indelible mark on the history of Canadian agriculture.

Today, with the 5th generation now heavily involved full-time and the dairy doing well, the Patenaude's decided to diversify and make its name in the beef market. Selling premium Angus beef which has been creating quite the buzz...

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