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The old boy scout motto of 'Be Prepared' has likely never been more important for the livestock industry on the animal welfare front. The Codes have been a popular discussion at many meetings in all sectors and NewStream Farm Animal Care has carried several articles on the ongoing discussions. However a move by the industry itself to set the agenda and take action on the issue, rather than be forced to change by animal welfare groups or retailers will be better for producers in the long term. There's no doubt proposals on sow housing will have the most financial impact on producers and will not be popular when the industry has been in a long-term squeeze for the past five years, he says.

CANADA NEWSTREAM UBC CODE

He says delays in the release of the Code for pork are not surprising given the challenge of getting groups of hog producers, industry representatives and people from human societies to agree on standards for pig welfare. Writing in his regular column in Alberta Farmer Express, Peet covered the discussion of Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Pigs at the recent Saskatchewan Pork Symposium. Peet brings a unique blend of on-the-ground production experience in North America and intentionally, along with communications skills as a respected writer and editor with Western Hog Journal. A good window on what's happening comes from Bernie Peet, the veteran pork industry journalist.

We study the behaviour of food animals in their environment in order to improve animal well-being.Ĭodes talk is heating up in the pork industry.

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What binds all of her professional activities is a focus on farm animal behaviour and welfare.īench is also a board member of Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC) and is widely recognized in the province for her role as a strong and active communicator on farm animal welfare.įrom the perspective of your program, what have you noticed about how farm animal welfare research is evolving today?īench: My research program takes an ethological approach to the study of food animal production systems, focusing on animal behaviour. Bench also has a lifetime of experience with youth 4-H Clubs and has worked to build a strong connection between university students in her faculty and youth 4-Hers in the province. She runs a busy research program, teaches and mentors students and is heavily involved in industry and public outreach. Clover Bench of the University of Alberta.īench wears many hats.

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The Drivers of Care series is designed to harvest fresh insights and perspectives from some of today's leading drivers of farm animal care progress. The cow-calf producer has a long history of involvement in sustainability issues, including work on livestock welfare through his years of service – including several as chair – with Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC).Īlways a straight shooter with a common sense perspective, Sawyer took time from his ranch duties to discuss some top-of-mind thoughts. Sawyer, who was recently re-elected as chair of Alberta Beef Producers, has had the opportunity to develop a better read than most on the pivotal year ahead and the dynamics involved around the livestock welfare.

But there are also opportunities for us to manage this issue well and come out ahead.' More questions and expectations for our industry to deal with. 'There's no doubt that's where it is,' says Sawyer. As 2013 kicks off, there's no doubt the issue of livestock welfare has ascended to become a big and likely permanent part of the emerging 'sustainability file' for global agriculture. It's a fact as clear as the rising sun on a crisp New Year's Day morning over Doug Sawyer's Pine Lake, Alberta, area ranchland. Doug Sawyer highlights five factors to add to your watch list for 2013

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