August 2010

Dear Friend,

The summer is a busy time for us with most SPCA Certified on-farm inspections occurring in this period. It therefore seems fitting that much of this edition of FarmSense relates to the program, including an article by SPCA Certified producer, Doug Fenton. We also introduce you to Bradner Farms (our newest SPCA Certified producer).

We’re also very fortunate to have Dr. Trevor DeVries contribute an article on cow feeding – if you think kids are picky eaters, read how selective dairy cows can be and the impact this can have on their welfare...

Forward this email to friends and colleagues.

Sincerely,

Alyssa, Geoff and Caroline
The BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare Team 

Feature Story

Milk Producers' innovation day focuses on animal welfare

This June, the B.C. Milk Producers Association hosted a Dairy Innovation Day to inform Fraser Valley dairy farmers about recent research and policy developments in the dairy industry.

"The turn-out for the event was excellent," says Dr. Rehanni Khaseipoul, Director of Communication and Planning for the association. "This shows that dairy farmers are eager to learn about new methods of management, and we hope that it will be of use to them on their farms."

The event featured short presentations by specialists on a number of animal welfare topics, including important management recommendations for feeding cows and calves, a topic also featured below in “Research in Focus.”

Producers in attendance learned that calves need to be fed twice as much milk as is the usual practice. "Our research on calf feeding practices and management is at the cutting edge and it is showing that calves will drink much more milk than the amount traditionally provided," says Dr. Nina von Keyserlingk of the UBC Animal Welfare Program. "Those calves that are given more milk will pay you back later on as they grow faster and produce substantially more milk in at least their first two lactations."

A presentation on Canada's new Code of Practice for Dairy Cattle was also well received. Ontario dairy farmer Michael Hall, who chaired the Code Development Committee, encouraged producers to embrace animal welfare for two main reasons: it's the right thing for farmers to do and consumers don't want to buy products that carry a bad reputation.

Did you know?

The BC SPCA, in
partnership with many
experts, has created
a number of
resources for farmers!

All resources can be
accessed from our
newly created 
‘Resources for farmers’ section of our website. 

Other useful links on
calf feeding

The Weaning Two-Step:
FarmSense
(April 2009)

Research in Focus

Picky eaters:
Ensuring dairy cows eat what is provided for them
by Dr. Trevor DeVries

Watching What
Cows Eat:
FarmSense
(Sept 2009)

Total mixed ration feeding systems are designed so that producers can provide their dairy cattle a well-balanced diet, but there are indications that the composition of what an individual cow consumes is not always the same as what was initially delivered.

The issue of feed sorting is explored in an in-depth article by Dr. Trevor DeVries.

Dr. Trevor DeVries is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus. Contact Trevor DeVries for more information on his research.

Applied Knowledge

The use of local anaesthetics in routine castrations of older beef animals
by Doug Fenton, Celista Springs Ranch (Celista, B.C.)

The SPCA Certified
red barn label is your assurance that a
product meets the
BC SPCA’s high standards for farm
animal welfare.

Castration of farm animals is routinely done on many farms raising farm animals and is often done without pain control. Read how Doug Fenton has implemented progressive policies on his farm to control pain during this procedure.

Contact Doug Fenton with questions about his article or for information about availability of their SPCA Certified beef and pork.

SPCA Certified News

SPCA Certified has some egg-citing news!

Connect with Us

SPCA Certified announces that Bradner Farms (Abbotsford, B.C.) has become certified for its eggs. “We have a lot of pride in our product and our farm,” says owner Rob Donaldson.

Bradner Farms is the largest single egg producer to become SPCA Certified; their eggs are available across B.C. packaged as Bradner Farms eggs and Avalon’s organic eggs. This farm will also supply eggs to Rabbit River Farms, SPCA Certified since 2003.