Currently at Lakeland College’s Vermilion campus, Ralston began her 35-year career with the province, first as a district agriculturist and then as a beef specialist while earning a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PhD, the latter in veterinary and biomedical sciences.

She is also a cattle producer and has conducted multi-disciplinary livestock research in the areas of pain control and pathogen mitigation. “Most notably, she has helped bring livestock pharmaceuticals that address animal welfare issues,” AFAC said in a release.

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The conference presentation on humane transport by CFIA meat hygiene inspector Nancy Simmons prompted questions that “highlighted the great demand producers have for this information,” said Annemarie Pedersen, AFAC’s executive director.

The webinars are a chance to “work with the industry directly and reach the producers and others involved in livestock transportation,” said Simmons.

The webinars will be industry specific and include a CFIA presentation on the updated regulations followed by a question-and-answer period.

“We want to hear from the people who have to deliver on these changes and have a real discussion,” said Pedersen.

Two sessions have been scheduled so far — Sept. 9 with Alberta Pork and Sept. 22 in partnership with Alberta Beef Producers — with more to follow.

For more information, visit afac.ab.ca.

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The awards, given by Alberta Farm Animal Care, recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions in the field of livestock welfare.

The recipients were Barbara Duckworth (communications), Rich Vesta (industry leadership), and Gateway Carriers (innovation).

Duckworth has been a reporter with the Western Producer for 32 years, focusing primarily on livestock. Vesta is CEO of Harmony Beef, who since the inception of the company 10 years ago has emphasized and focused on good animal-handling practices exceeding industry standards.

Gateway Carriers was recognized for its efforts in animal care-friendly hauling. The Taber company developed, with Wilson Trailer Company, a self-contained electric-powered lift table doghouse for livestock trailer use. This innovation allows for much greater back clearance giving room for tall-breed cattle, which eliminates humane transport issues and associated reduced grading costs due to back rubbing.

The Livestock Care Conference was held online earlier this month.

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Each is a two-day session that introduces the latest concepts, techniques, procedures, and equipment being used today. Participants learn to work together on a scene and build an incident action plan, then extricate the animal safely for both the animal and responders. All who attend both full days will receive a certificate of completion.

For locations, more info and links to registration, go to afac.ab.ca.

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There are three award categories: communication, leadership and innovation.

For more information (including past winners) and nomination forms, go to afac.ab.ca.

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Three awards are given out annually.

The Award of Distinction for Communication honours those who take an active role in effectively telling the story about livestock issues, and informing the public and agri-food industry about farm animal care in a factual and honest way that is credible and builds trust.

The Award of Distinction for Industry Leadership recognizes those who integrate animal welfare into their core business strategy, striving to achieve more than expected regarding animal welfare and setting a higher standard.

The Award of Distinction for Innovation honours those who have developed a new process, product, or source of knowledge that has made a significant impact on improving the welfare of livestock and the industry.

Nominations should be submitted to Kristen Hall at kristen@afac.ab.ca by Feb. 15.

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There has been strong participation in an online survey, said Alberta Farm Animal Care, which is facilitating the initiative requested by Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. The province wants a better understanding of the “animal welfare landscape.”

The second phase will involve five focus groups in Fairview (Sept. 20 at Grande Prairie Regional College), Lethbridge (Sept. 25 at Lethbridge College), Olds (Oct. 2 at Olds College), Edmonton (Oct. 10 at the University of Alberta), and Vermilion (Oct. 25 at Lakeland College).

To participate in a focus group or to take the survey (which is open until Oct. 31), go to the Alberta Farm Animal Care website.

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“Livestock welfare is important to all industry stakeholders, as well as the bodies that regulate the sector, and practices continue to change and evolve,” said Annemarie Pedersen, the executive director of the organization.

“This project will provide every stakeholder — from individual farmers and ranchers to producer association groups, veterinarians, and all others — the opportunity to share their insight into what is happening in their sector today.”

The Livestock Welfare Engagement Project began with consultations in the industry and Alberta Farm Animal Care is now conducting a survey to evaluate experiences, perceptions, and priorities related to animal welfare.

“The more responses gathered, the clearer the final picture of Alberta’s livestock sector will be,” said Pedersen.

The online survey, which is open until Oct. 31, can be found via Survey Monkey here. It will be followed by focus groups and then a final report to the provincial government, which requested and is funding the project.

Alberta Farm Animal Care was founded in 1993 by provincial livestock organizations to be a collective trusted voice on matters of livestock welfare. Among other things, it offers resources to producers, organizes an annual livestock care conference, and operates an alert line that people can call if they believe livestock are not being cared for properly.

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“Alberta Farm Animal Care plays an important role in the province, representing all livestock sectors by communicating the industry’s best practices to producers and sharing our story with the public,” said Scheele, a hatching egg producer.

James Jenkins was acclaimed as vice-chair, Brent Bushell as finance chair, and Casey Vander Ploeg as advisory council chair.

The other board members are Greg Bowie (past chair), Laurie Fries, and Heini Hehli. Darrell Dalton, the registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association will fill the remaining vacant position until next year’s AGM.

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“Six years ago the East Olds Dairy Farmers group, which is made up of several dairy farm families, developed the idea to host a breakfast for their community to help the public learn about what dairy farmers do,” AFAC said in a news release. “With the support of the Southern Alberta Holstein Club and Alberta Milk, the first Breakfast on the Dairy Farm event was delivered in 2013 drawing 348 people to a single location. The initiative has carried on as an annual series, expanding to two locations hosting over 1,000 people each year.”

A third location in the northern part of the province is planned for this year.

“Good communication is one of the most important things in life,” said Arie Van den Broek, who has been involved in the project since its inception. “We as producers like to show where the milk comes from, how we take care of our animals and our neighbours. ‘Open that farm gate and let people come in’ — that’s what we always say.”

More than 3,400 people have attended the annual summer event.

Lakeland College received the Award of Distinction for Industry Leadership for its commitment to animal welfare.

“Among key examples of the college’s focus on livestock welfare, students in the Animal Science Technology Program complete an entire semester of animal handling, welfare, and ethics during their first year of studies alone,” AFAC said.

The program also has a hands-on lab component that teaches students low-stress handling techniques.

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