Thirty-two livestock industry professionals and stakeholders took part in a daylong conversation around strategies to mitigate pain for livestock. The emphasis was on sharing and confirming current issues, identifying knowledge gaps and exploring ways to reach the desired goal of mitigating pain. Contributors represented livestock researchers, veterinarians, animal welfare specialists, academia, government, industry organizations and pharmaceutical companies. Participants shared updates on the present state of pain control in the livestock industry in Alberta.
By Cassandra Docherty MSc., Apiculture Technologist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
I fell in love with honey bees after having the opportunity to do a
couple hive inspections with a professor while I was studying abroad. When I
returned to Canada to finish the second half of my masters degree on an
invasive fish species in Alberta, I decided to take a beginner beekeeping
course. Needless to say, my fascination with these creatures only grew
stronger. A year after I graduated, I was lucky to land a job working as an
apiculture research technician at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. As of right
now, I am hoping to expand my knowledge of honey bees and colony management, as
well as develop specific technical skills to help the industry diagnose and
manage pests and diseases.
The beekeeping industry in Alberta is the
largest in Canada, and is home to over 315,000 honey bee colonies. Both honey
production and the provision of pollination services to crops in Alberta and
British Columbia are key aspects of the industry. Our
goal at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry is to support Alberta’s beekeepers to
ensure the industry is strong and resilient, and honey bees are healthy for the
future. One of our primary objectives is to assist beekeepers in developing and
applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems in their operations to reduce
the risks and costs associated with colony loss from disease outbreak.
The livestock industry is making great strides in decreasing
antimicrobial usage which indirectly helps with antimicrobial resistance. From
veterinarians setting the example, to cow-calf and feedlot operations implementing
effective coping strategies, huge progress is being made. There are management changes
which can be made to minimize disease incidence. The policymakers can also look
at ways to increase research in antimicrobials or alternative treatment
methods. Monitoring and surveillance of drug resistance such as an
antimicrobial task force headed by the veterinary colleges, look at the
evolution of antibiotic resistance. What can you do today as a cattle producer
in whichever segment of the cattle industry you are involved? This article will
address changes you can make that may decrease disease incidence and therefore
the need for antimicrobial use in your calves.
By Devyn-Skye Brook, The Do More Agriculture Foundation
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ― Socrates
There is nothing quite like the pain, of witnessing someone that you love suffer. The feeling of powerlessness in not being able to make the mental anguish of another disappear. But here’s a little secret. No one always has it together. Every life is laced with adversity, sadness and grief. The belief that we need to manage on our own is changing, bringing us back together. There is great courage in sharing our stories.
Animal welfare issues have been discussed and reviewed in the past. Lately, transportation of livestock has come under scrutiny. This article will offer a veterinarian’s perspective and provide ways to improve transport decision-making for your operation.
Animal welfare issues have been discussed and reviewed in the past. Lately,