Reading Time: 3 minutes Times are changing, and both growing social pressure and knowledge about animal welfare is making pain control part of the equation in cattle production. “Society expects it of us, and it’s part of that social licence to operate,” said John Campbell, a veterinarian and head of large-animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary […] Read more
Pain control for cattle the new normal
The beef code of practice recommends pain control medication for procedures such as dehorning and castrating
Maple leaf touts sustainability efforts
Reading Time: < 1 minute Maple Leaf Foods has launched a new website — mapleleafsustainability.ca — to highlight the company’s efforts in the areas of animal care, nutrition, environmental impact and food security. “The issues are daunting, but as Canada’s largest protein company, we want to be at the leading edge of change,” said Maple Leaf CEO Michael McCain. The […] Read more
New pain control medication for livestock hits the market
Calgary-based company creates affordable medication for horses and cattle
Reading Time: 2 minutes A Calgary-based company has created a pain control drug that could be a game changer for the North American cattle and horse industries. Oral Meloxicam, a tasteless liquid that can be administered orally or added to feed, is the first pain control medication developed for livestock in North America. “The most common procedure we can […] Read more
Starbucks to switch to all cage-free eggs by 2020
Chicago | Reuters — Starbucks will switch to using only eggs laid by cage-free chickens at its North American locations within five years, the company told Reuters on Thursday. The company said it has been steadily working on making the switch since it began buying cage-free eggs in 2008. The pledge follows similar moves by […] Read more
The time has come to rethink single-trait selection
Temple Grandin was right about animal welfare, and she’s right about respecting the dual purpose of food animals, too
Reading Time: 4 minutes I am a big fan of Dr. Temple Grandin. A long time ago we stood in a small community hall in Alberta with 60 farmers in attendance. She talked about an animal’s reaction to light, movement, and sound, and encouraged producers to see their facilities through the eyes of their livestock. I talked about shrinkage […] Read more
ALERT Line: Help for farmers is only a phone call away
Reading Time: < 1 minute Producers who are struggling with livestock issues because of drought are being urged to call the ALERT Line: 1-800-506-2273. “The ALERT Line is a ‘producers helping producers’ resource that producers can call if they have any questions or concerns about livestock welfare,” said Kristen Hall, marketing and communications manager with Alberta Farm Animal Care. “With this drought, we want to […] Read more
Feds fund AFAC welfare surveillance
Alberta Farm Animal Care designed to ensure good health, proper standards
Reading Time: < 1 minute The federal government has announced funding of $268,000 to Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) to help ensure that cattle arriving at auctions and abattoirs are in good health and meet the standards required for processing. The announcement was made in Okotoks by Macleod MP John Barlow on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This project […] Read more
Making a plan helps alleviate the stress of euthanasia
A detailed, written plan and standard operating practices are better for both the animals and staff
Reading Time: 3 minutes No one likes having to euthanize an animal, but it’s easier with a clear plan and proper protocols in place. Part of that is using “end points” as recommended by Canadian Council of Animal Care, said Craig Wilkinson, a professor and director of animal care for the faculty of agriculture, life and environmental sciences at […] Read more
Livestock facility audits praised by experts
Temple Grandin and Jennifer Woods say they boost both profits and PR
Reading Time: 4 minutes Temple Grandin and Jennifer Woods are both fans of the old saying: ‘You cannot manage what you cannot measure.’ Which is why the two animal welfare experts are in favour of audits. The duo, who has known each other for more than two decades, both spoke at the recent Canadian Livestock Transport conference. “Many people […] Read more
Crackdown on shipping unfit animals working
The Western Hog Exchange now seeing far less downers, but officials say even a few are too many
Reading Time: 3 minutes A crackdown on shipping unfit animals is paying off, says the chairman of the Western Hog Exchange. “I don’t have the statistics to back it up, but the general consensus is that we have seen a significant improvement in the animals coming to the plants,” Brent Moen said in an interview. The Red Deer hog […] Read more
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