This month’s issue of FarmSense highlights aspects of a new Canadian biosecurity program, advancements in needle-free injection technology and the importance of distinguishing between lame birds from sick birds when assessing flock health. This month we are also conducting our first ever reader poll. This is your chance to provide your opinion on what should happen to farm animals seized in cruelty cases.
Thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA farm program; one of a kind in Canada!
Sincerely,
Brandy, Alyssa and Geoff The BC SPCA Farm Animal Welfare Team
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Feature story
Canadian Swine Health Board launches national biosecurity training program
An on-farm biosecurity program is an integral part of ensuring good animal health and well-being. Earlier this year the Canadian Swine Health Board (CSHB) launched a national biosecurity training program intended to protect Canadian pig farms from new and emerging disease risks and minimize the spread of disease beyond borders. The program has been launched in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba, with roll out in Saskatchewan and Alberta slated for the end of this year. Eventually training will be available in all Canadian provinces.
The program is coordinated nationally through the CSHB and delivered by provincial pork organizations. It is open to registered pork producers whose premises are certified under the Canadian Quality Assurance (CQA) Program. Thus far, it has been well received. Producers who haven’t yet done so are encouraged to sign up for training.
Needle-free injection technology points to potential improvements to animal welfare
Needle-free injection technology uses a high speed blast of gas to create an opening in the skin 7-10 times smaller than that of a conventional needle and instantaneously propel veterinary compounds into the body.
Although it may sound painful, initial observations of nursery piglets have lead researchers to believe the opposite. When given medication using conventional needles, piglets tend to vocalize loudly and frequently, indicating pain and a high level of stress. By comparison, piglets were observed to be much quieter when given medication using needle-free technology, indicating reduced pain and less stress.
In November 2009, the Manitoba government introduced a subsidy program under which pork producers who purchased needle-free injection technology could apply for a rebate of up to $ 2,000. To be eligible, producers had to first be enrolled in the Canadian Quality Assurance (CQA) Program. One year after introduction of the subsidy program, nearly 25% of Manitoba’s CQA certified pig farmers had already purchased, or were in the process of purchasing, a needle-free injector.
Lameness is a common problem among many commercially raised farm animals, and poultry are no exception. SPCA Certified farmers are required to assess walking ability of their turkeys and broiler chickens in order to monitor the flock for signs of lameness.
Walking ability is assessed by giving birds a gait score (also called a ‘lameness score’) as the farmer moves through the flock and observes them walking around. The challenge in assessing walking ability is the many factors that influence how severely lameness presents itself. Therefore, it is important to know the common signs of illness in order to distinguish lame birds from sick birds.
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.
SPCA Certified updates
Don’t delay, order SPCA Certified today!
This year, make your holiday even better by using SPCA Certified meat, poultry, cheese and eggs. Look through our recipes, and have fun experimenting with new cooking and baking ideas.
SPCA Certified products are available across B.C. and Alberta. Certified turkeys can be ordered from:
The SPCA Certified red barn label is your assurance that a product meets the BC SPCA’s high standardsfor farm animal welfare.
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In other news....
Reader Poll – Tell us what you think!
We want to know what you, the reader, think should happen to farm animals that are seized in cruelty cases. Tell us whether you think the BC SPCA should…
a) Euthanize the animals?
b) Keep them at a shelter or a rescue until they can be adopted out as pets?
c) Send them to an animal sanctuary to live out the rest of their natural lives?
d) Send them to a SPCA Certified farm to be raised for food?
e) Send them to any commercial or hobby farm to be raised for food?
Please quote the November 2011 FarmSense reader poll when you reply with your answer to farminfo@spca.bc.ca.
NFACC conference discusses building blocks for an overall farm animal care strategy
Speakers at the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) Conference held October 5-6, 2011, discussed ways in which Canadian farm animal care could be advanced. Research, benchmarking practices, extension and verification processes were key components of the overall farm animal care strategy recommended to conference participants. View the conference agenda and speaker presentations.
BC FACC conference sheds new light on animal care issues in BC
The annual BC Farm Animal Care Council (BC FACC) Conference, held on November 10, 2011, hosted a variety of renowned farm animal welfare scientists and industry experts. Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. David Fraser and Susan Church, among others, provided a wealth of information on farm animal care. View the conference agenda and speaker presentations.
Dr. Temple Grandin event a huge success
The event “Understanding the Animals in your Life: A Special Evening with Dr. Temple Grandin" hosted on November 10th at the Frederic Wood Theatre, Vancouver was a huge success! It generated approximately $10,000 in support from ticket sales and donations for BC SPCA programming. Thank you to BMO for sponsoring the event! For people who missed the live event, there is still time to view the recorded webcast. To purchase a webcast ticket, please contact farminfo@spca.bc.ca directly.
Photo caption: Event coordinator Brandy Street (right) poses with Dr. Temple Grandin (left)
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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An on-farm biosecurity program is an integral part of ensuring good animal health and well-being. Earlier this year the 
Needle-free injection technology uses a high speed blast of gas to create an opening in the skin 7-10 times smaller than that of a conventional needle and instantaneously propel veterinary compounds into the body. 
Lameness is a common problem among many commercially raised farm animals, and poultry are no exception. SPCA Certified farmers are required to assess walking ability of their turkeys and broiler chickens in order to monitor the flock for signs of lameness. 
a) Euthanize the animals?
