Canada's Beef Code of Practice is undergoing its most significant update in more than a decade.
The code, last updated in 2013, sets national expectations for cattle care and animal welfare.
One of the most noticeable changes in the draft is a stronger focus on how cattle cope with adverse weather. For the first time, heat and humidity are clearly addressed.
"There is a recommendation pertaining to accessing adequate water during heat events and also strategies to support cattle and I will note that this is heat and/or humidity, recognizing that the two operate very much in tandem." said Dr. Leigh Rosengren, Chief Veterinary Officer with the Canadian Cattle Association.
Nutrition and water management are another focus. Dr. Rosengren notes there will be strengthened expectations around monitoring body condition and taking action before cattle become too thin.
"We did emphasize in the code that there is a requirement for corrective action to be taken for beef cattle with a body condition score of two out of five or lower, which is thin." she said.
"Additionally, there is a requirement that to enhance proactive efforts are taken to prevent declining body condition in cattle with a score of two-and-a-half out of five, so I think what you'll see as you read this code is that there is an effort to make proactive interventions ahead of welfare situations, potentially sort of getting away from people and to be preventative."
The updated code also strengthens requirements for pain mitigation.
"Starting in 2032, so roughly five years after the code is published for all cattle, there is a requirement to provide pain mitigation when disbudding or dehorning, again with a nod that that activity should be done as early as practically possible. For castration, likewise, castration should be done as early as practically possible and always with pain control for all ages of cattle…and then lastly, for assisted calvings with a difficult birth, pain control both for the cow and the calf." explained Dr. Rosengren.
She emphasized that this is a public comment period, producers will not be the only ones participating so the on-farm perspective is especially important.
She adds the Beef Code helps the industry retain control over its own standards.
The draft Beef Code of Practice is open for public comment until June 12, through the National Farm Animal Care Council website.
The Canadian Cattle Association encourages producers to review the proposed changes closely and provide feedback on how they work and don't work on their operations.
An updated code is expected to be implemented in 2027.
(With files from Neil Billinger, CJWW)
