Annual Reports

- Program Highlights
- Awards of Distinction

Red Deer, Alta., March 26, 2001: The Alberta Farm Animal Care Association (AFAC) has introduced a new awards program to recognize excellence in farm animal care. The first recipient is Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Animal Health Inspector Darren Malchow. The award was presented at the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association Annual Meeting held March 23 in Red Deer.

Malchow was presented the Award of Distinction for Innovation because of his dedication to promoting responsible, humane animal transportation within the livestock industry. AFAC also announced two other award categories in the Awards of Distinction program that will be presented in future years: one for Industry Leadership and one for Communication.

The Award of Distinction for Innovation is awarded to a person or company that has developed a new process, product or source of knowledge that has made a significant positive impact on livestock care and the livestock industry. The honourees will also be saluted for their effort in working collectively with the industry to share the innovation.   

“Darren is an excellent choice as the inaugural winner of an Award of Distinction. Clearly his industry education efforts, innovations and communication skills fit the standards the board has set for this award,” said Mike Hart, AFAC immediate Past Chair. “These awards seek to recognize those that apply new, innovative ideas and management practices to improve and ensure high standards of animal well-being.”

Award winners should also exhibit an appreciation for the public’s need to know that farm animals are raised humanely, said Hart. “People such as Darren can be held up as examples of those who are making a difference.”

Malchow began working for the CFIA as meat inspector in 1980. In 1990 he became the CFIA Animal Health Inspector in Lethbridge, Alta., responsible for disease control testing and investigations as well as enforcing humane transportation legislation.

Humane transportation of livestock has become his focus and co-workers, supervisors and those in the industry recognize Malchow’s tireless effort to respond to calls, even on weekends, and provide needed information to anyone who asks.

He is one of the main contacts in Alberta for the Humane Transportation Program and has helped organize training courses across Alberta. Malchow’s dedication is evident by the fact he personally delivered the program’s manual to every CFIA Alberta district office and to federally registered slaughter plants in Alberta.

In the industry, he is known for his uncompromising stand on animal care issues, but that stand is coupled with his naturally diplomatic nature. “Darren is very forceful in his commitment, but looks for mutually agreeable solutions that will last without condemning people,” says Bob Balog, owner/operator of Balog Auction Services.

A practical symbol of his commitment to animal care is the introduction of the “hog sled.” Recently developed by Malchow, the sled is used to humanely remove downer hogs from trucks. The hog sled and its accompanying instruction video, were developed on personal time and with his personal money. Federal meat plants in Alberta are now using the hog sled. 

“Darren works closely with AFAC and links extensively with the industry to keep everyone informed of problems and assist with solving them,” said Hart.

The Award of Distinction for Industry Leadership will honour a person or company that has integrated animal welfare into their core business strategy and has set the bar higher regarding animal welfare. The honouree demonstrates leadership and commitment to dealing with relevant animal care issues and is positioned as a “teacher” and leads by example. This award will recognize an active producer or livestock production company.

The Award of Distinction for Communication will pay tribute to a person, organization or company that takes an active role in effectively “getting the message out” about livestock issues, and informing the public and agri-food industry about farm animal care in a factual and honest way, to build trust and credibility.

“We hope the adoption of these awards will spur others in the industry to take the lead in animal care issues,” added Hart.

For more information contact

Susan Church, Manager AFAC