Reading Time: 3 minutes Last month, McDonald’s USA announced a “multi-faceted effort called ‘Our Food. Your Questions’” in which it invites people to submit their food questions via social media. “We’re proud of the food we serve our 27 million U.S. customers every day, yet we know people have unanswered questions,” said Kevin Newell, executive vice-president, chief brand and […] Read more
A new era of watchful food consumers
Consumers don’t just want to know more about how their food is produced — some want a very detailed report card
Ranchers give $5-million gift to boost animal welfare research
Jack Anderson and daughter Wynne Chisholm want U of C to be ‘No. 1 in terms of animal care and welfare research in the world’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Father and daughter cattle ranchers with a passion for animal care and welfare have donated $5 million to support research at the University of Calgary. Building on a commitment to best practices and the use of technology in their own operations, J.C. (Jack) Anderson and his daughter Wynne Chisholm from W.A. Ranches made the gift, […] Read more
Officials at Red Deer hog facility vow animal abuse won’t happen again
Western Hog Exchange chair says he doesn’t like animal rights group’s tactics but says its undercover video will result in ‘very positive changes’
Reading Time: 4 minutes The Western Hog Exchange has one message for the pork industry in the wake of animal abuse allegations at its Red Deer facility. “What we saw is not acceptable,” said Brent Moen, chairman of the farmer-owned exchange. “We’re introducing changes, and we’re taking responsibility for this. And we will make improvements to our process.” An […] Read more
Better animal welfare is also better for your bottom line
Consumers are beginning to demand higher animal welfare standards for livestock — but improving welfare isn’t ‘rocket science’
Reading Time: 2 minutes Animal welfare and beef cattle productivity are “inseparable,” says a federal research scientist. “Sick animals are not productive animals,” said Dr. Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein. “Incidences of sickness and lost performance are really heavily linked to welfare.” Stressors like castration, transportation, weaning, and handling have been linked to things like slower rate of gain, greater chance of […] Read more
Stress tool could have a big impact
Infrared thermography provides a quick and non-invasive way to measure stress, and that has big implications for livestock producers
Reading Time: 5 minutes A new ‘eye’ on how animals respond to stressful situations is providing researchers with a valuable tool that could one day have a big impact on how livestock are treated. Infrared thermography — or IRT — can tell a lot of stories by measuring body heat in a specific area. Using a device that looks […] Read more
Alberta Chicken Producers welcomes update to poultry care code
Group’s chair says province’s broiler producers are already adhering to expected changes and process ‘will validate what we’re doing’
Reading Time: 2 minutes An initiative to update the animal care code of practice for poultry is being welcomed by the chair of Alberta Chicken Producers. “We already have an animal care program in the province that is mandatory for our producers,” said Erna Ference. “All of our farmers are certified and on that program. From what I understand, […] Read more
Sick cattle: When to treat, call the vet, or pull the plug
Make an informed decision, but do it sooner rather than later
Reading Time: 3 minutes When first assessing sick mature cattle, there are four main choices or treatment streams to choose. Is it a treatable condition in which a positive response is likely? Is this a condition where the animal can be shipped for immediate slaughter? If the condition has gone past the point of return and the animal should […] Read more
Expert says productivity has trumped welfare in breeding programs
New breeding techniques could improve welfare-related traits in animals, creating a win-win for livestock industry
Reading Time: 3 minutes Animal welfare shouldn’t take a back seat to productivity, says an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientist. “Health and welfare traits should take precedence over production traits,” said Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein at the recent Livestock Genomics in Alberta conference. “Successful livestock production will only be accomplished through welfare-conscious management.” But that hasn’t been the case in […] Read more
Grass-fed farms get stamp of approval
Animal Welfare Approved label a boost for sales
Reading Time: < 1 minute Two grass-fed Alberta livestock operations have recently been given a stamp of approval by an influential U.S. organization called Animal Welfare Approved. Don and Marie Ruzicka raise Angus, Galloway and Red Poll cattle on 600 acres of pasture at Ruzicka Sunrise Farm near Killam, while John and Kelsey Beasley raise North Country Cheviot sheep at […] Read more
Dutch farmer finds animal health and welfare go hand in hand
Gerbert Oosterlaken wants animal welfare advocates on his side instead of the opposition
Reading Time: 5 minutes When Gerbert Oosterlaken began designing a new 600-sow barn on his livestock and crop farm in this densely populated district, he wasn’t interested in state-of-the-art production systems. He looked 20 years into the future — one he believes will be driven as much by how well he can get along with his non-farming neighbours as […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
