This month’s issue of FarmSense is all about cattle. Learn how veal crates are viewed across the globe. Meet our newest SPCA beef cattle farm and test your bovine IQ. You also have the opportunity to participate in a short online survey discussion panel about "hot topics" in dairy cattle welfare. It’s sure to be an a-moo-sing issue!
Sincerely,
Brandy, Alyssa and Geoff The BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare Team
PS. You can help spread awareness about the BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare department and our many programs. Forward this email to friends and colleagues.
Feature story
Calf in a box: Individual confinement housing used in veal production By Angela Greter, M.Sc. and Léna Levison, DVM, University of Guelph
Last year 235,037 veal calves were raised in Canada on 1,235 Canadian farms. Veal calves are kept in a number of different housing systems, one of which is a crate. There is tremendous concern regarding the use of veal crates as they can greatly compromise the welfare of calves, but they may not be of concern for much longer. Countries around the world have begun banning the use of veal crates and producers, themselves, are voluntarily switching to group housing.
The
BC SPCA, in partnership with many experts, has created a number of
resources for farmers!
All resources can be accessed from the ‘Resources for Farmers’ section on our website.
Research in focus
Promoting discussion of "hot topics" in dairy cattle welfare By Beth Ventura, Ph.D. Graduate Student, University of British Columbia
Everyone has an opinion about what it means to treat farm animals humanely, but it can be tough to find a way to bring a diversity of people together to engage them in productive discussion about farm animal welfare. Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) did just that through the creation of the YourViews website, a virtual "town hall" that elicits and documents people’s views on a wide-range of topics. The UBC Animal Welfare Program developed the CowViews website to facilitate discussion about controversial issues in dairy cattle management.
Want to give your opinion on issues like dehorning or whether cows should be allowed to go out on pasture? Click to participate in the 6-question CowViews survey. New participants are always welcome!
Putting research into practice to improve the welfare of beef cattle By Geoff Urton, M.Sc., BC SPCA
In 2012, a tremendous amount of policy development on beef cattle welfare was undertaken world-wide. In Canada, the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is convening to develop new Codes of Practice for Beef Cattle, and the BC SPCA is representing the Canadian humane movement at the Code development table.
Tim and Laurice Mock own and operate Windhorse Farm in Duncan, B.C. Windhorse is a small Certified Organic cattle farm that is also audited by the Verified Beef Program. The cattle are 100% grass fed and finished. Visit Windhorse Farm’s webpage to learn more about the farm and where to buy their beef.
SPCA Certified and farmers’ markets: A perfect match!
Throughout the summer and fall, farmers’ markets feature SPCA Certified chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb, cheeses and cage-free eggs. It’s the perfect time to meet the farmers, ask questions and purchase ethical products all in one go! The BC SPCA’s events calendar includes all the information you need to find a farmers’ market near you.
The SPCA Certified red barn label is your assurance that a product meets the BC SPCA’s high standardsfor farm animal welfare.
Connect with us
In other news....
Fast facts about cattle
What is a group of cattle called? Do French cows say "le moo"? How many teeth does a cow have?
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. We welcome your comments and suggestions on FarmSense content. Please feel free to email us or call 604-681-7271 (or 1-800-665-1868 outside the Lower Mainland).
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.
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Last year 235,037 veal calves were raised in Canada on 1,235 Canadian farms. Veal calves are kept in a number of different housing systems, one of which is a crate. There is tremendous concern regarding the use of veal crates as they can greatly compromise the welfare of calves, but they may not be of concern for much longer. Countries around the world have begun banning the use of veal crates and producers, themselves, are voluntarily switching to group housing.
Everyone has an opinion about what it means to treat farm animals humanely, but it can be tough to find a way to bring a diversity of people together to engage them in productive discussion about farm animal welfare. Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) did just that through the creation of the YourViews website, a virtual "town hall" that elicits and documents people’s views on a wide-range of topics. The UBC Animal Welfare Program developed the CowViews website to facilitate discussion about controversial issues in dairy cattle management.
In 2012, a tremendous amount of policy development on beef cattle welfare was undertaken world-wide. In Canada, the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is convening to develop new Codes of Practice for Beef Cattle, and the 
Throughout the summer and fall, farmers’ markets feature SPCA Certified chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb, cheeses and cage-free eggs. It’s the perfect time to meet the farmers, ask questions and purchase ethical products all in one go! The 
What is a group of cattle called? Do French cows say "le moo"? How many teeth does a cow have? 
