| | Introduction | The beef code | Highlights | Additional information
This is a fact sheet from the Animal Welfare section of the Alberta Feedlot Management Guide, Second Edition published September 2000. The 1200 page guide is available for purchase on CD-ROM.
Introduction
The Codes of Practice are nationally developed guidelines for the care and handling of different species of farm animals. Codes are not intended to be used as production manuals; instead, the Codes are designed to be used as an educational tool in the promotion of acceptable management and welfare practices. The Codes contain recommendations to assist farmers and others in the agriculture and food sector to compare and improve their own management practices.
The Beef Code
The Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle was developed from an original working draft contracted by the Ontario Cattleman’s Association to Dr. Frank Hurnick, Professor, Poultry and Animal Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, in the early 1980’s. This draft was submitted to all provincial cattle organizations for review and input. As a result, the recommended code of practice for beef was printed in 1991.
The code is voluntary, however all provincial and federal acts and regulations must always take precedence. Where the word ‘must’ is used it emphasizes the importance of a specific practice.
The code is intended to achieve a workable balance between the best interest of the animals and the producers. It recognizes the basic principles that humaneness towards animals is a prime consideration and that animals treated well and protected from stress benefit producers.
In 1995, the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (CARC) and its Canada Committee on Animals and its Expert Committee on Farm Animal Welfare and Behaviour took the lead, along with the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies in updating existing codes and developing new commodity codes.
Highlights
Shelter and housing
- It is beyond the scope of this code to describe all shelter and housing facilities used in cattle production. Individuals requiring further details should refer to local sources of information such as universities, agricultural ministries and local successful beef producers.
- The design and use of shelter facilities for beef cattle should promote the health, well-being and good performance of animals at all stages of their lives.
- Natural or constructed shelter areas should adequately protect animals from weather fluctuations characteristic of the region.
- Feedlots and paddocks used during cold seasons must have adequate windbreaks to reduce wind speed hence the windchill effect on cattle. Table 1 gives the windchill factors.
- Housing facilities should be designed and constructed to ensure the animal’ comfort and to enhance their good health.
- In all types of housing systems, cattle should be free to stand up and lie down comfortably at all times.
Feed and water
- Diets for all classes of beef cattle should be formulated in accordance with the recommendations of the National Research Council (US) subcommittee on beef cattle nutrition in Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle (1996).
- Cattle should have access to fresh, clean water at all times. The average daily demand for cattle weighing 1100 lb (500 kg) is about 10 gal (45 L) and increases in hot weather up to 19.8 gal (90 L).
- Adequate feed must be provided regularly.
- When cattle are fed in groups, all animals must have access to feed. Whenever restricted feeding is practised, all animals should have simultaneous access to the feeders so they may eat at the same time.
Table 1. Windchill Factors.
Herd management
- Everyone working with cattle or managing animal facilities must understand and accept their responsibility to prevent unnecessary suffering of animals.
- An important skill of cattlemen is the ability to recognize early signs of distress or disease in animals so that the cause can be identified and prompt, appropriate action taken.
Herd health management
- All animals and facilities should be inspected routinely, and if necessary, appropriate action should be taken immediately.
- Distressed cattle should be dealt with humanely, effectively and promptly to prevent suffering. Abnormal health conditions must receive proper treatment. Sick, injured or disabled cattle in severe distress should not be subjected to the rigor of loading and transportation. These animals should be euthanized or slaughtered on the farm. Under no circumstances should sick, injured or disabled animals be transported either to livestock auction markets or long distances to meat packers.
Feedlots
- A dry, sheltered, and, if necessary, elevated resting area should be available at all times.
- Feedlots should be properly drained with particular attention to feeding and watering areas. Excessive buildup of wet manure must be avoided in keeping with good animalhusbandry practices.
- A feedlot facility should have properly designed and maintained loading facilities.
Auction markets
- Market operators should refuse to accept animals that are clearly not in condition to be moved through their facilities without further injury or stress.
Additional Information
This factsheet only highlights a small amount of the information found in the complete Code of Practice for beef cattle. People who are interested in beef cattle should obtain a copy of the code in its entirety.
A copy of the complete recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle is available in Alberta from:
Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC)
Cambrian P.O. Box 75028
Calgary, AB T2K 6J8
Tel: 403-932-8050
Fax: 403-932-8052
e-mail address: info@afac.ab.ca
*Part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Publication 1870/E and the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council (CARC) Factsheet Beef Cattle. |
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