Animal Care

Canada's beef cattle producers care about their animals, it's always top of mind. The VBP+ program animal care module helps certified operations validate practices meeting the National Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle in their production systems.

Producers seeking VBP+ certified operation status must meet specific animal care outcomes and keep records related to the care and health of their animals.

Animal Care: What does it mean on your farm

Meeting the VBP+ animal care requirements on your operation can help in a number of ways:

• Provide proof your practices are implemented and cattle are managed appropriately;
• Meet customer and consumer expectations on animal care practices through a program informed by relevant science and research;
• Understanding outcomes can assist those who need help to adjust and work toward adopting responsible practices.
• Updating practices builds on our industry's excellent reputation for producing quality humanely raised beef cattle.

To learn more about Animal Care and the Beef Code, explore the links below or contact the VBP+ coordinator in your province or region.

• Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle
• Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals: Transportation. CFIA 2001
• Think Inside the Truck. Canadian Cattlemen. Nov 2015
• Pain Control Gaining Priority Among Beef Producers. Beef in BC, May/June 2016
• Doing Tough Things Well Defines a Champion (Euthansia and Animal Abuse). Canadian Cattlemen, Feb 2016
• On-Farm Emergency Management Guide for Beef Producers.

For a series of articles and videos in the topic area:

• Animal Health and Welfare - Research results on various animal care issues
• Body condition scoring (BCS) factsheets, feed calculator and how to video on BCS: Beef Cow Body Condition Management

Videos

• Animal Welfare Issues and Initiatives in Canada's Beef Industry
• Cattle Handling: Understanding Cow Psychology
• Beef Research School: Disposing of Deadstock
• Beef Research School: Developing and Implementing a Vaccination Program on your Farm
• Beef Research School: Dealing with Trichomaniasis and Vibriosis
• Beef Research School: Pain Mitigation in Beef Cattle
• Beef Research School: Properly Diagnosing Causes of Lameness in Cattle
• Beef Research School: Livestock Transport