Glacier FarmMedia – Maple Leaf Foods expects to complete its change to open sow housing with years to spare. The company has completed more than half of its transition, according to Dr. Greg Douglas, vice-president of animal care. Along the way the company has learned a lot about housing and managing sows in groups. Why […] Read more
Tag Archives animal welfare
Maple Leaf Foods says group sow housing switch moving quickly
Maple Leaf Foods says it is on track to be the first large-scale producer to completely shift to open sow housing
Livestock transport regulations could drive change
Studies show national standards are mostly being met for cattle rest, but experts say humans involved need consideration too
Everyone involved in the process has responsibility for maintaining animal welfare when shipping beef cattle, especially animals trucked long distances. If anything goes wrong, then it needs to be communicated back down the shipping chain. Those were the key messages from Kincardine-area feedlot operator Steve Eby during a session on moving cattle long distances during […] Read more
Editorial: It all starts with the feet
Hoof health: For the sake of the animals and long-term health of our farms, we need to do better
I’ve heard for years that the foundation of livestock health is the foot. I haven’t needed studies to tell me that, as I’ve seen it many times myself. See an unhealthy cow or hog? There’s a good chance that its issues start with feet. It’s not surprising. Painful locomotion means less ability to get to […] Read more
Swiss government urges voters to reject more state help for farmers
Zurich | Reuters — The Swiss government urged voters on Tuesday to reject more help for farmers and other proposals for agriculture in a referendum next month, saying they would send food prices rocketing and hurt the economy. Switzerland will two hold referendums on Sept. 23 — one on giving more state support to farmers […] Read more
Editorial: In defence of animal care
Prison farm activists cheer animals’ return
The announced return of the animals to prisoner rehabilitation farms in the Kingston area was an exciting victory for many in the eastern Ontario farming community. Farmers, and other community activists, had worked hard, protested, and protested some more over years to bring the prison farms back. The farm was eliminated eight years ago by […] Read more
Managing poultry euthanasia
A large research project is looking at how farmers can finetune the humane death of poultry on their farms
Poultry producers across North America should soon have access to expert advice about the most practical, effective ways to deal with euthanasia on their farms. Why it matters: In both the U.S. and Canada, the past decade has seen enhanced regulation related to on-farm euthanasia, driven largely by a desire to decrease the potential for […] Read more
Animal welfare studies lead to ag careers
Students find there are good jobs to be had because of their studies of animal welfare
The growing interest in animal welfare is providing opportunities for students studying animal behaviour and management. The most recent edition of the annual Research Symposium of the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW) provided strong evidence there are now post-university career opportunities for those interested in the topic. Why it matters: With […] Read more
Battling hog barn bugs
Farmers dealing with tighter access to antimicrobials look to prevention versus treatment
Livestock farmers across Canada are bracing for extra costs as Health Canada moves to further lock down their access to antimicrobials, but Huron Country hog farmers Tara and Dennis Terpstra anticipate an easy transition. When their business arrangement changed in 2015, the Terpstras seized the opportunity to re-evaluate their herd management. The result was a […] Read more
The details on CAP
Details are now available for the first intake of the new federal-provincial program, which closes May 8
With maximum funding ranging between $25,000 and $35,000 per project, aspects of manure and nutrient management and livestock handling and housing represent key areas of focus for government support in the recently-released Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) suite of programs. Also on offer is a maximum of $75,000 for either livestock or food crop producers for […] Read more
Pork assurance program moving ahead after pause for producer feedback
The Canadian pork sector is aiming for a 2021 deadline for all pork producers to be on its new Canadian Pork Excellence assurance program. The Canadian Pork Council and its member provincial associations took a step backwards on the plan last year after an outcry from pork producers about a lack of consultation. Why it […] Read more
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