Care Ontario that provides resources to assess and improve situations involving on-farm animal care. The service is desi
Worried about animal care on beef farms? It's important to us too! Farmers are passionate people.
In Canada, FARMERS TAKE ANIMAL CARE VERY SERIOUSLY, which is reflected in strict regulations for humane animal husbandry, as well as industry-led, proactive initiatives such as the National Farm Animal Care Council’s Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle and Canada's Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program.
They care about the well-being of their animals, and providing a bright future for their families and future generations. Waking up at two in the morning to check on a calving cow, going to the barn in – 20oC weather to ensure water bowls aren’t frozen, and ensuring their animals are fed and bedded before opening gifts on Christmas morning with their families, reflects their dedication to providing the best care for their animals.
Beef farmers adhere to the recommended practices and requirements that are outlined in the National Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle, a detailed guide developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council with input from farmers, veterinarians, government and animal care interest groups. The Code contains guidelines and requirements on a variety of aspects from ANIMAL HEALTH
AND ENVIRONMENT TO TRANSPORTATION.1 Farms vary in size across Canada, with beef cattle herds ranging from 20 to over 5,000 head of cattle. On each farm, no matter the size, farmers make sure that every animal remains healthy and content.
FUN FACT
Farmer provides highest level of care to herd
R E H S U R MYTHC
Cattle are content and healthy
Better Production
Increased Profit
! E S L A F
Herd is less prone to disease and sickness
Reduced Veterinary Bill
Reduced Medication Bill
It is important to beef farmers to provide the highest level of care for their cattle, as content and healthy animals are more productive and less prone to sickness or disease. This allows the farmer to save resources on veterinary care and medicine, as well as maintain a healthy herd of animals.
In recent years, Beef Farmers of Ontario hosted over 30 Code of Practice workshops for beef farmers with the support of veterinarians to enhance their understanding of best management practices as it relates to animal care. Over 1,000 beef farmers participated in these workshops.
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MYT H: FARMERS WHO MANAGE LARGE FARMS DON'T CARE ABOUT THEIR ANIMALS. 97% of farms in Canada are owned and operated by families 2, and farmers respect the importance of treating their animals responsibly, no matter the size of their farm.
Beef farmers take advantage of learning opportunities and workshops to improve their understanding on animal care. Whether it be on sensitive medical procedures or low-stress animal handling, farmers are committed to continuous improvement when it comes to the health of their animals.
C ATTLE C A RE 101
Beef Farmers of Ontario partnered with Farm and Food Care Ontario to host low-stress cattle handling workshops across the province. Over 500 beef farmers have been trained through these workshops.
The beef industry expects all beef farmers to take responsibility in their role as farmers for the welfare of their animals and for the reputation of the beef industry as proactive and principled when it comes to animal care.
www.ontariobeef.com 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 Phone 1.866.370.2333 Email
[email protected]
Ontario beef farmers have a positive working relationship with the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA). Beef farmers are committed to working with the OSPCA to ensure that farmers are applying the proper level of animal care standards on-farm across the province.
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KNOW DID YOU
The Ontario Beef Helpline is a confidential service administered by Beef Farmers of Ontario and Farm and Food Care Ontario that provides resources to assess and improve situations involving on-farm animal care. The service is designed to ensure that beef cattle are well cared for, and also to provide support to farmers in caring for their animals in accordance with the industry-approved standards of care outlined in the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle. ALL BEEF
FARMERS HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO REPORT ANIMAL CARE CONCERNS TO THE HELPLINE.
Trained Animal Care Advisors respond to calls regarding the care of beef cattle in Ontario. THEIR ROLE
IS TO WORK WITH THE FARMER TO EDUCATE AND ADDRESS CONCERNS RAISED THROUGH THE HELPLINE.
Investment in research to improve beef cattle welfare has been ongoing for a number of decades. One of the most well-known researchers and spokespersons in this field of expertise is DR. TEMPLE GRANDIN, who is known not only in North America, but around the world for her extensive work in animal behaviour and state-of-the-art animal
handling designs in processing facilities. Dr. Grandin, along with many other researchers continue to develop new and innovative techniques to handle cattle on-farm, during transportation and before processing, as well as the design of humane handling facilities.
Each year there are conferences and symposiums held across North
America that focus on the welfare
and behaviour of cattle. CATTLE WELFARE
Beef farmers work hard to ensure their cattle are healthy, safe and well-cared for.
Significant investments in research are being made by farmers, government and academia to develop new strategies to improve the quality of life for cattle. Farmers today have a much greater understanding of animal behaviours which has allowed for improved assessments, and relief of pain or distress brought on by required industry practices.
CATTLE BEHAVIOUR
All Canadians can take great pride in how their beef is raised!
Farmers take great pride in caring for their animals and their land, it's a way of life and it's important to farmers to pass along these values to their children.
For more information on the standards of care in Canada, check out the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle.
For references or more information about the beef industry, please visit www.ontariobeef.com www.ontariobeef.com 130 Malcolm Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1B1 Phone 1.866.370.2333 Email
[email protected] 