Another prize for the Caplette from Céréales Bellevue

A new award recognizes the work accomplished over the years by the owners of the agricultural company Céréales Bellevue in Saint-Robert, operated by Pierre and Paul Caplette, our star blogger.

This time, it is the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), which presented the Canadian Agricultural Producer Award to the two producers for “their in-depth knowledge of the surrounding landscape their lands and their marked and conclusive efforts in terms of agro-environment. The award also highlights their contributions to pollinators, as well as their awareness-raising efforts to make their importance better known to the agricultural community.

More particularly, Paul and Pierre Caplette impressed the judges with their in-depth knowledge of every detail of the surrounding landscape and their shared passion for their land as well as for the ecosystems and wildlife found there. Over the years, more than eight hectares have been dedicated to dynamic biodiversity.

Paul Caplette said he was proud and excited to win this award. “We know that what we are doing is good for pollinators, but I didn’t think I would win. It’s motivating, it’s a pat on the back. We didn’t have the impression that we had done that much, but it happened over a certain period, we are still in this movement. We always make a bit of it every year, and at some point, it adds up,” says the producer.

The award is also recognition of the work of many people, including Paul and Pierre’s mother, Pierrette, who worked to develop the farm. It was at the initiative of the UPA that the farm was entered into the competition and it was when receiving the prize that Paul Caplette realized everything they had accomplished in recent years.

“We have to take it step by step. I only try to move forward with my little stick at my own speed at home, but I have great respect for all the farmers who do it at their own pace. Agriculture is so diverse, but whether we have done 100, 200 or 500 meters, it is important to say well done, it is beautiful what has been done. It’s a movement,” he said.

Achievements at Céréales Bellevue

Since 2017, Paul and Pierre Caplette have added 25 acres of sites producing ecosystem services with nest boxes for tree swallows and eastern bluebirds as well as roosts for bats. Ultimately, their goal is to install 200 nest boxes. The two brothers planted 1,200 trees and 5,000 fruit bushes to provide habitat and food for native wildlife and pollinators.

In addition, 90% of their soil is protected by cover crops all winter in order to nourish and protect soil microorganisms. The farm has also added numerous multifunctional riparian strips of 10 meters on its land, instead of the regulatory three meters. Growers also created buffer zones and additional plantings for pollinators between rows and along waterways, creating refuge areas for biodiversity.

Cereals Bellevue incorporates a rotation of eight different crops and cover crops combined with no-till allowing them to reduce fertilizer use and improve soil organic matter levels.

In nearly 20 years, the farm has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 33% and the use of pesticides by more than 30%, while increasing field yields. Céréales Bellevue also aims to achieve carbon neutrality within 10 years.

Paul Caplette is convinced that the increase in biodiversity on his land has something to do with the increase in yields he sees on the farm, even if it is not measurable. The increase in pollinators and bird species has been confirmed since developments were made. “These are lasting gestures, we are building for a long time. It’s rewarding.”

The Caplette brothers’ contribution to biodiversity and the environment has been recognized numerous times in recent years. Paul was the recipient of the 2022 Dave Reid Prize. In 2021, they also obtained one of two agrEAUresponsables scholarships from the UPA Montérégie.