Page 5 - #RealDirt - The Real Dirt on Farming: Saskatchewan Digest Edition

“We’re proud of our family-run farm and the care we put into
produ”
cing healthy, nutritious milk.
Jason, Brad and Trevor Kornelius, dairy farmers, Osler, SK
... about 30 per cent of Canada’s farm land is too hilly, rocky, cold or wet to grow crops – but it’s ideal
to support grazing livestock like cattle or sheep? Saskatchewan has over six million hectares of pastureland, home to one third of Canada’s beef cows, and about one third of the Canadian bison herd.
See fArmS fOr YOurSeLf
If you really want to know about how Canada’s farm animals are treated and raised, ask questions, talk to real farmers at fall fairs, farmers’ markets and other events, or visit www.virtualfarmtours.ca. That’s the best way to discover what Canadian farms are really like. Farmers are as shocked and outraged as everyone else when examples of animal cruelty are brought forward. We want to work with people who are committed to make a difference in how animals are cared for.
2 Farm animals 101
In Canada, there are thousands of farmers caring for a wide variety of farm animals every day. Whether it’s helping a cow give birth to its calf in the middle of the night or checking on the chickens before we open presents on Christmas morning, caring for animals has been at the core of what farmers do every day for generations. Animals depend on us for everything – and that’s a responsibility we take very seriously. Farmers and ranchers choose to work with animals because we enjoy it. Caring for animals properly is simply a matter of doing the right thing but it also makes good business sense. Content, healthy animals are more productive animals and lead to higher quality food products.
Here’s a quick tour of farm animal real estate and the rules for raising livestock and poultry in Canada.
WHY Are mOST fArm AnImALS rAISed IndOOrS In CAnAdA? PrOTeCTIOn!
• Barnsprotectlivestockfromextremeweatherandtemperatures(hotandcold),diseaseslikeavian inluenza, and predators like wolves and coyotes.
• It’salsoeasiertoensureeachanimalgetstherightfood,cleanwaterandgeneralcare.
• Animal housing is about animal needs, which can be quite different from human needs, and every
animal is different. For example, laying hens are descended from jungle fowl that live in small groups under tree roots. This means it is natural for hens to want to live closely together with other birds and in smaller, enclosed spaces. And, given the choice of staying indoors or heading out to pasture, dairy cows often opt for the comfort of well-ventilated barns in warmer weather.
• We’re constantly investing in new welfare research to help the animals tell us what’s best. There are many people with full time careers in farm animal care. Many researchers and other specialists dedicate their lives to improving animal care.
• It’sourprioritytoprovidethebestenvironmentwecanfortheanimalsinourcare,balancing animal needs and safe food with environmental and economic realities.
WHAT Are THe ruLeS fOr rAISInG fArm AnImALS?
• Farmers,likeallanimalowners,mustfollowlawsforhumanetreatment–includingthosein
the federal Criminal Code. Neglect and abuse of animals of any kind is against the law, and most farmers do a great job looking after livestock and poultry. Sometimes, however, there are situations where that isn’t the case and that’s not acceptable. Undercover footage of farm animal cruelty is disturbing for anyone who cares for animals.
• Wealsohavethe“CodesofPracticefortheCareandHandlingofFarmAnimals”tohelpus;
they were developed by animal scientists, government, veterinarians, farmers and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. You can learn more at www.nfacc.ca. The Codes spell out what’s appropriate when it comes to housing and handling facilities, food and water, management, health, transportation, good animal husbandry or stockmanship and euthanasia.
The Real Dirt on Farming 5