CEPOQ

What CEPOQ does

CEPOQ (Centre d'expertise en production ovine du Québec) is a private Quebec-based agricultural expertise center founded in 1997 that supports sheep and, to a lesser extent, dairy goat producers through research and development, genetic improvement, animal health, and professional training. Its core offerings span four program areas: genetics and reproduction (it manages GenOvis, the Canadian genetic improvement program for sheep, including ultrasound measurements and genetic value reporting), animal health (it operates government-sanctioned Maedi Visna sanitization and AEC certification programs), software tools (Oviration 4.0.1 desktop feed-formulation software based on NRC 1985 data, a web-based Photopériode calendar tool for advisors, and a mobile parasitism-management application), and continuing education via training, webinars, and a Community of Practice for agricultural advisors.

The business model is a hybrid of fee-based services and government program funding. Direct revenue derives from semen collection and analysis under CFIA permits, advisory and consulting engagements, software and physical tool sales (photoperiod canvases at CAD 300 plus shipping, reference guides at CAD 25, webinar fees of CAD 25 for producers and CAD 35 for advisors), and annual Community of Practice memberships priced at CAD 200 (with a CAD 140 promotional rate for new members). Government funding flows through the Canadian Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (Partenariat canadien pour une agriculture durable) and MAPAQ's Programme services-conseils, financing CEPOQ operations, software acquisition (including Oviration rights), and training initiatives. Distribution is direct and Quebec-focused: on-farm services, a self-serve website at cepoq.com, email newsletters via Mailchimp, and a YouTube/Facebook/LinkedIn presence reach a primarily SMB producer base alongside the advisor community.

Operationally, CEPOQ is headquartered at 198 avenue Industrielle in La Pocatière, Quebec, operates without subsidiaries or parent-company ownership, and reports no funding rounds, M&A activity, or leadership transitions in the available data. Strategic partnerships anchor its model: SEMRPQ, Ovin Québec, the Groupe de Recherche Ovin at Université Laval, Agneau du Québec, the Université de Montréal Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CRAAQ, Agri-réseau, and Québec Innove provide co-development, research, and dissemination channels. The product portfolio is fragmented across standalone tools rather than a unified platform, and there is no disclosed AI/ML capability, public API, or third-party integrations.

Name

CEPOQ

Legal name

Centre d'expertise en production ovine du Québec (CEPOQ)

Website

https://cepoq.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CEPOQ is a Quebec-based agricultural expertise center, founded in 1997, that supports sheep and dairy goat producers through the GenOvis genetic improvement program, government-sanctioned health certifications (Maedi Visna, AEC), specialized software tools (Oviration, Photopériode, parasitism app), training, and a Community of Practice for agricultural advisors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Livestock agricultural expertise and advisory services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Breed Registry, Pedigree & Performance Recording Services (AFAEAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Welfare Auditing, Compliance & Certification Services (Non-testing Lab) (AFAEALAN), Breeding Stock & Genetics (Rams/Bucks, Stud Services, AI/ET Programs) (AFAEAFAE), Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD)

Keywords

• Sheep production expertise
• Goat herd management
• Livestock genetic programs
• Animal health certification
• Feed formulation software

Headquarters

HQ city

La Pocatière

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Service Fees and Licensing: CEPOQ generates revenue through service fees for specialized services including semen collection, analysis, animal health services, and software licenses (Oviration). Training and workshop fees also contribute to revenue.
2. Government Funding: As an expertise center, CEPOQ receives funding through government agricultural programs including the Canadian Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (Partenariat canadien pour une agriculture durable) and the Programme services-conseils.
3. Community of Practice Memberships: Annual membership fees for the community of practice for agricultural advisors, with discounted rates for new members (140 CAD/year instead of 200 CAD).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CEPOQ is an agricultural expertise center that supports Quebec sheep and goat producers through advisory services, genetic improvement programs (GenOvis), herd health certification programs (Maedi Visna, AEC), specialized software tools (Oviration, Photopériode, Parasitisme), and on-farm technical services including CFIA-permitted semen collection. Its work spans research and development, professional training, documentation, and tools adapted to Quebec production conditions.

Product overview

CEPOQ (Centre d’expertise en production ovine du Québec) is an agricultural expertise center supporting Quebec sheep and goat producers through research, development, genetics, and professional development. Its product portfolio consists of multiple standalone tools and programs rather than a unified platform: Oviration 4.0.1 (desktop feed formulation software), the web-based Photopériode calendar tool, a mobile parasitism management application, the GenOvis genetic improvement program, health certification programs (Maedi Visna and AEC), semen collection services, herd management dashboards, and a practice community for advisors. CEPOQ also offers physical tools including photoperiodic scheduling canvases and barn environment analysis kits, alongside ongoing training and webcasts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GenOvis: Canadian genetic improvement program for sheep
• Parasitisme des petits ruminants au pâturage
• Oviration
• Photopériode

Products and services

• Oviration 4.0.1 Desktop software that formulates sheep feed rations based on NRC 1985 data, calculating energy, protein, fiber, mineral, trace element, and vitamin requirements by physiological stage and weight, with cost comparisons across rations. Targeted at sheep producers and their advisors.
• Logiciel web Photopériode Web application that generates production calendars for sheep operations under photoperiodic management, covering both female and male breeding animals. Designed for sheep industry advisors managing client farms.
• Application mobile Parasitisme des petits ruminants au pâturage Mobile/web decision-support application providing integrated gastrointestinal parasite management for grazing small ruminants, including risk factor evaluation, deworming and clinical signs decision trees, and a documentation center. For sheep and goat producers and their advisors.
• Programme GenOvis Canadian sheep genetic improvement program managed by CEPOQ, providing ultrasound measurements, genetic value assessments, and breeding reports to producers participating in the program.
• Programme Maedi Visna Voluntary herd sanitization program for Quebec sheep producers to reduce Maedi Visna prevalence and certify very low-risk herds, supervised by a veterinarian with structured certification levels.
• Programme AEC (Arthrite Encéphalite Caprine) Sanitization and certification program for Quebec dairy goat herds covering Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis, providing protocols for establishing an AEC control plan and achieving herd certification.
• Récolte de semence et services spécialisés CFIA-permitted semen collection service for Canadian rams and bucks, including semen quality analysis and animal health technician services, with domestic and export permit categories available. For sheep and goat producers and breeding programs.
• Communauté de pratique (Community of Practice) Annual paid membership Community of Practice for advisors and intervenants, providing virtual meetings, a private collaborative platform, exclusive content/webinars, and privileged pricing on events.
• Formation continue et ateliers Continuing education service offering webcasts, workshops, and recorded conferences on sheep health, genetics, feeding, and farm management topics, delivered to producers, students, advisors, and intervenants.
• Tableau de bord ovin et caprin (Sheep and Goat Herd Management Dashboard) Web-based herd management dashboard for Quebec sheep and goat producers to monitor flock performance indicators, available alongside CEPOQ's flock management advisory service (service-conseils en régie de troupeau).
• Service-conseils en régie de troupeau Direct advisory consulting service in flock management (régie de troupeau) for Quebec sheep and goat producers, delivered by CEPOQ's team of advisors, agronomists, veterinarians, and technicians, and paired with the Tableau de bord ovin management dashboard.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced Maedi Visna prevalence in Quebec sheep flocks through voluntary certification program
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SEMRPQ (Services d'expertise en milieu rural)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner network supporting rural expertise and agricultural development in Quebec.
• Ovin QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec sheep industry organization working collaboratively on sector development.
• Groupe de Recherche Ovin (ULaval)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSheep research group at Université Laval providing scientific expertise and research collaboration.
• Agneau du QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec lamb marketing organization supporting the sheep production sector.
• CRAAQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentre de référence en agriculture et agroalimentaire du Québec providing agricultural knowledge resources.
• Agri-réseauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural information network providing extension services and knowledge transfer.
• Québec InnoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec innovation network supporting innovative agricultural projects.
• Université de Montréal (Faculté de médecine vétérinaire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for veterinary expertise, research collaboration, and student involvement in sheep and goat health programs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• AgriWebb: Australian-origin livestock management software platform serving sheep and cattle producers with mobile-first, cloud-based record-keeping and analytics. Comparable as a livestock-management software peer to CEPOQ's Oviration, Photopériode and Tableau de bord offerings, but targeting a much larger scale and modern tech stack.

Regional players

• Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board: Provincial sheep organization supporting Saskatchewan producers with extension services, marketing, and industry development — a parallel provincial expertise body to CEPOQ but in a different geography and without a national program mandate.
• Ontario Sheep Farmers: Provincial sheep industry organization representing Ontario producers with a comparable producer-services and advisory mandate to CEPOQ, but serving a different province and not operating its own genetic or health certification programs.
• Alberta Lamb Producers: Alberta's check-off funded sheep and lamb producer organization providing extension services, research coordination, and producer training. Comparable to CEPOQ's producer-services role but geographically distinct and without CEPOQ's software or genetic-evaluation mandate.

Others

• Neogen Corporation: Animal genomics, food safety, and animal-health company. Adjacent to CEPOQ through genomic testing infrastructure that could complement (or compete with) the genetic-evaluation work done under GenOvis and supporting the breeding-stock side of the Quebec sheep industry.
• Holstein Canada: National breed registry, herd classification and performance-recording body for Canadian dairy cattle. Comparable to CEPOQ's GenOvis as a national pedigree and performance-recording organization, but for the dairy sector rather than small ruminants.

Direct peers

• Lactanet: Canada's national dairy herd management and genetic evaluation centre. Lactanet runs the Canadian Dairy Herd Improvement program, provides herd-management software (DairyComp) and advisory services to producers — the closest structural analogue to CEPOQ's combination of genetic evaluation, software tools, advisory services, and government-backed program management.
• Canadian Sheep Federation: National umbrella organization for the Canadian sheep industry, providing industry coordination, advocacy, and producer services across Canada. Directly comparable to CEPOQ's industry-coordination role, although at a national rather than provincial level and without CEPOQ's R&D and software mandate.

Broad incumbents

• IDEXX Laboratories: Global veterinary diagnostics and animal-health software company. Compares to CEPOQ's health-certification (Maedi Visna, AEC) and herd-management software activities, but as a much larger diversified incumbent serving companion animals and many livestock species.
• Zoetis: Global leader in animal health products, diagnostics, and genetics services for livestock and companion animals. Zoetis overlaps with CEPOQ on the animal-health and livestock-genetics side but operates broadly across many species and geographies rather than focusing on Quebec small ruminants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiF2lz-RyXAaHFXtG6i69vg/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/VotreCEPOQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cepoq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CEPOQ