Toronto MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith’s bill to tighten animal cruelty legislation in Canada has been voted down in the Commons on second reading. (NErskine-Smith.liberal.ca)

Bill to tighten cruelty laws downed in Commons

A federal private member’s bill meant to tighten animal cruelty laws in Canada — alarming farm organizations and energizing animal welfare groups en route — has gone the way of most private members’ bills. Bill C-246, introduced in February by Toronto Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith and given first reading, died Wednesday in the House of […] Read more

The auditor will ask about training for the animal-health crew and the training records.

Animal health management

Canadian feedlot animal care assessment — Part 3

Animal health management is the foundation of animal care and one of the most detailed sections of a feedlot audit under the Canadian Feedlot Animal Care Assessment Program. It accounts for a possible 85 to 110 points depending on the size of your feedlot and the protocols you follow. Another 70 points are available by […] Read more


What do coffee and doughnuts have in common with beef? 

Animal Health with Ron Clark, Dvm

The Canadian Beef Industry Conference 2016 (CBIC 2016) provoked thought on many topics. Presentations by a host of food industry icons stirred the imagination of the cattle industry, a body once thought inert and cloaked so deeply in tradition and romance that any significant degree of change seemed improbable.Through two solid days of presentations, I […] Read more

Tell your vet, nutritionist and other service providers about your policy.

A feedlot’s commitment to animal care

Canadian feedlot animal care assessment — Part 2

A feedlot’s commitment to animal care evolves around four criteria: ensuring management and employees have access to the Canadian Beef Code of Practice, a written animal care policy, a self-assessment protocol and an emergency response plan. Each accounts for two out of the possible eight points for this section of an audit. The Canadian Beef […] Read more


Joyce Van Donkersgoed demonstrates processing techniques to students from Olds College.


Get rid of your cattle if they’re getting too big

Heavier cattle — particularly ones with small frames — can develop 
feet problems, especially if they suffer heat stress

Don’t keep big, fat cattle around because it could increase animal welfare problems. Animal welfare icon Temple Grandin has recently been sounding alarms about more lameness in beef cattle and part of that is related to heavier weights and genetics. “There are certain genetic lines of beef cattle that are repeating a mistake the pig […] Read more

Too far out?

Too far out?

Free Market Reflections from the June 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Recently Canadian cattlemen were upset because a Canadian-based chain, Earls, decided to serve only “Certified Humane” beef, currently only available from one source — Creekstone Farms in Kansas, U.S. Ah, the complexities of producing and marketing food today. I’m sure Canadian cattlemen and processors were quite taken aback that a Canadian restaurant chain would shut them […] Read more



PAACO certifies new Canadian feedlot audit

News Roundup from the February 2016 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

A new tool for auditing animal welfare in feedlots developed in Alberta for the Calgary-based National Cattle Feeders Association (NCFA) has been given conditional Certified Audit status from the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization, Inc. (PAACO). “From PAACO’s perspective, this is a great accomplishment and shows great foresight on the part of the Canadian cattle […] Read more