Reading Time: 2 minutes Provincial justice officials will go after “illegal protesters” who trespass on Alberta farms, says Premier Jason Kenney. The premier and his justice and agriculture ministers travelled to the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony near Fort Macleod to announce tough new penalties for those conducting occupation-style protests like a recent one at the colony’s turkey farm. “Some […] Read more
Premier vows crackdown on protesters who trespass on farms
Occupation of turkey barn last month sparks plan for new legislation, which critics call overkill
New beef website answers consumer questions
Reading Time: < 1 minute Canada Beef has created a new website — raisingcdnbeef.ca — aimed at answering “the most common questions about Canadian beef production.” The website has five sections and each has a series of slides accompanied by a brief text. The various sections contain numerous facts (such as typical weaning weights, days in a feedlot, testing protocols […] Read more
Hutterite colony targeted by animal rights activists
Protesters weren’t part of an existing group and had no issue with the Jumbo Valley colony — other than it raises poultry
Reading Time: 6 minutes On Labour Day, members of the Jumbo Valley Hutterite Colony near Fort MacLeod opened their turkey barn to a scene that no farmer would want to see — their barn was filled with about three dozen animal rights activists. “They just showed up and walked right in,” said Frankie Hofer, manager of the colony’s poultry […] Read more
When we rush to help, we can put ourselves at risk
When livestock get into trouble, we need to consider how quickly a rescue mission can go wrong
Reading Time: 3 minutes The abundance of new life on the farm at this time of the year leads to a lot of antics on the part of animals. It is wonderful to watch the babies get busy with play we call ‘horsing around.’ Calves and foals are romping, the first chicks are peeping, the piglets are squealing. Big […] Read more
There have been many gains on many fronts in the cattle sector
We’re reducing stress, using early disease detection, and improving animal welfare
Reading Time: 4 minutes One only has to take a step back to see the advances the cattle industry is making. This article is a small overview of some of the major ones I have seen. Canada is unique because the different seasons require different management strategies and our distances are great when it comes to stress of transportation. […] Read more
Animal welfare advocates honoured
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Farmer columnist Brenda Schoepp and beef producer Stacey Simpson are the recipients of the Alberta Farm Animal Care’s awards of distinction for 2019. The awards recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions in the field of livestock welfare, and who champion best practices and innovative ideas. Schoepp received the award for communication […] Read more
Awards for leaders in animal welfare
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Farm Animal Care is seeking nominations for a trio of awards that recognize individuals or groups who have made exceptional contributions to livestock welfare. 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 […] Read more
Loose housing is a winning approach, says Canadian pork giant
Open sow housing is better for pigs, people, and profits, says Maple Leaf Foods executive
Reading Time: 4 minutes Many questioned whether it would work, but Maple Leaf Foods says open housing is a superior way to raise sows — and will have that system in all of its barns years before it becomes mandatory. “This is part of our vision to be the most sustainable protein company on Earth — part of that […] Read more
Chicken welfare program enhanced
Reading Time: < 1 minute Chicken farmers across Canada are rolling out the latest changes to the Raised by a Canadian Farmer Animal Care Program. The program will enhance environmental care and bird monitoring and handling as well as health-care practices, and emergency management and preparedness. “Our Animal Care Program is a clear demonstration of farmers’ commitment to animal care,” […] Read more
Give your view on livestock welfare
Survey, focus group participation open until Oct. 31
Reading Time: < 1 minute The second phase of the Livestock Welfare Engagement Project is getting underway. 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 […] Read more
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