We are excited about this edition of FarmSense e-newsletter, re-launched under a new and improved format! FarmSense promises to keep you up-to-date on key topics in animal agriculture and includes regular contributions from farmers and researchers who are leaders in the field of animal behaviour and welfare. We know you’re busy (so are we!) – that’s why we’ll do our best to keep our articles to the point and in a quick-to-read format.
We hope you enjoy this and all future editions of FarmSense e-newsletter. Please take a quick moment to forward this email on to friends and colleagues so they sign up as well.
Sincerely,
Alyssa, Geoff and Caroline BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare Team
Feature Story
The SPCA Certified red barn label is your assurance that a product meets the BC SPCA’s high standards for farm animal welfare.
Other useful links related to dairy cattle welfare
Recently, the Poultry Industry Centre organized a ‘Science in the Pub’ session in Guelph, Ontario. Among the attendees was Prof. Ian Duncan, international poultry expert and the BC SPCA’s special advisor on farm animal welfare. The idea behind these meetings is for Industry Representatives, Academics and Students to get together in an informal atmosphere for lively discussions on controversial topics.
The January session was on hen housing and welfare – a topic that is no doubt controversial. While Europe prepares for the battery cage ban in 2012, North America has been fairly resistant to change. This interesting session spanned such topics as economics, the history of the battery cage, hen behaviour and the Consumer versus the Citizen (all debated over beer…).
The BC SPCA and the University of British Columbia have published a new factsheet on lameness in dairy cattle (.pdf download), based on research conducted at UBC’s Dairy Education and Research Centre.
As Prof. Dan Weary explains, “Modern dairy farms are struggling with high rates of lameness. This is an important welfare concern because of the pain cows experience while walking and standing, and because cases can persist for weeks. Training farm workers to better identify lame cows is a crucial first step in implementing treatment and prevention strategies for lameness on dairy farms.”
“This resource is a helpful tool, which dairy farmers should make use of as part of their overall animal care management,” adds Paris Thomas of the BC Milk Producers Association, who also provide free copies of UBC’s ‘Firm Steps’ CD Rom to producers who request it. See sidebar for other useful resources.
Applied Knowledge
‘Farm Olympics’ by Jerry Kitt of First Nature Farms
With the 2010 Olympics happening I had to wonder what event on the farm would qualify for Olympic status. Giving straw to the growing pigs is an Olympic challenge for sure.
The event starts out with a 1,000 lb bale of straw set in front of the row of pig houses. The goal is to get the straw into the house for bedding. As soon as the bale is placed down, around 80 pigs each between 100-250 lbs race out of their houses and surround it. Pigs love straw and delight in nosing through it. The challenge is to remove as much straw as possible from the bale with a pitch fork, find a path through the pigs and carry it to their houses returning immediately to repeat the process. The event is over when all the straw is inside the house (at which point so are the pigs!)
Pork and beef available year-round from Celista Springs Ranch, SPCA Certified since 2006.
To better accommodate their dedicated clients, owners Doug and Marlene Fenton have moved their on-farm store to Mylo’s Farm Market in Scotch Creek, B.C., just 15 minutes from their farm located in the beautiful North Shuswap. They also do periodic deliveries to the Lower Mainland!
The Fentons are passionate about supplying high quality grass fed and finished meats for people who care about what they’re eating. They have the highest standards for animal care and handling for all the farm animals they raise, including their small poultry and sheep flocks.
FarmSense includes news about farm animal welfare issues, research results, and information on the BC SPCA's activities that help farm animals in B.C. Sending email communications enables us to provide news in a timely and cost-effective manner, ensuring that more money goes to where it matters most - to help animals.
View or download (.pdf) previous issues of FarmSense on our website at spca.bc.ca/farmsense.
The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia. The Society provides a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
BC SPCA Charitable Registration No. BN 11881 9036 RR0001
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