Huge stake

Watching Food Inc. in Guelph.

I actually felt troubled as I watched the film and pondered Guelph’s huge stake in the agribusiness sector. To what extent has research conducted here contributed to a food sector that is so unhealthy, so ruinous to the environment, so disconnected from ancestral farming methods?

Resistance is futile

Shuswap farmer gets automated.

Traditionally, the life of a dairy farmer revolved around strict milking times. In May’s case, 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day, rain or shine, 365 days a year.

But the times, they are a changing, as DeMay Farms recently became the first in the Shuswap to convert their dairy operation to an entirely automated robotic milking system.

The DeLaval system uses computer and robotic technology to milk each of the cows on a 24-hour a day system. It works by tempting the cows into a special chute with a grain feed.

Uniform products

A look at Alberta’s beef industry.

According to the Canada Beef Export Federation website, “many feedlots have become larger and more highly mechanized over the past 15 years to specialize in cattle feeding. It is estimated that over 80 per cent of the grain-fed cattle in Canada are produced in feedlots with capacities over 1,000-head. This produces uniform and high-quality beef products.” The key words here seem to be “uniform” and “products.”

Secure chickens

Ontario chicken farmers get millions.

Ontario’s agri-food sector is getting $8.3 million in additional support to improve biosecurity on poultry farms.

Chatham-Kent-Essex MP Dave Van Kesteren made the announcement Thursday in Guelph.

He said educational and training programs are also planned to help boost food safety and traceability.

“Farmers across Ontario can take pride in their animal handling practices,” he said.

Former farmer

Manitoba man draws attention to the plight of Canadian catttle farmers.

Since the BSE crisis broke, Mr. Arksey and his wife, Sharron, have lost over $200,000. And that doesn’t include the $200,000 hit they’ve taken on the value of their property, over 1,000 acres of Langruth, Man., ranchland that’s been in Mr. Arksey’s family since 1901.

His 18-year-old son has no interest in the family business. “He’s too smart for that,” Mr. Arksey said. “He’s in university taking classics.”

Four years ago, his nephew, Tim Wilson, had expressed interest in quitting the Canadian Forces and taking over the ranch. Mr. Arksey told him to wait a few years.

Master Corporal Tim Wilson was the 10th Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.

“He’s why I’m here doing this,” said Mr. Arksey, wearing a Tim Horton’s ball-cap from the coffee chain’s Kandahar location. “Somebody has to stand up and fight, just like he did over there.”

Organic welfare

National task force studying animal welfare on organic farms.

Andres and Dr. Hubert Karreman spoke at Farmers week in Elmwood during the Ecological Afternoon part about the treatment of livestock, specifically cattle, by organic farmers.

“Animal welfare is not the same as animal rights,” Karreman added.

Andres thinks the issue is “urgent and important” for organic farmers to look at and think about. He says a lot of harm that is done to animals comes from tradition. “Farmers say ‘our father always tied a new calf in the dark corner of the barn with binder twine’ and so the farmer’s son says ‘what’s wrong with that because I’ve been doing the same for 20 or 30 years.”

But Andres says there is something wrong with that, especially since most organic farmers have more visitors, mostly urban, who want to see where their food comes from. “Consumers are hoping you are doing the right thing,” he added. “What do you think organic consumers would think of seeing you chopping off cows’ horns without painkillers?” he asked.

Vet shortages

Farm animal veterinarian numbers decline.

As the title suggests, farm animal vets are those who work with food animals and horses. It’s a sometimes messy and back-breaking line of work, with uncertain hours and often many weeks of on-call time.

There’s also a belief that farm animal vets make less money than vets who specialize in pets such as dogs and cats. These small-animal vets are also more likely to work regular hours, and are more likely to own their own business.

Another striking difference in the two specialties is that farm animal vets have to travel – sometimes great distances – to see their patients, while small animal vets generally wait for the patients to come to them

Cruelty conviction

Navan hobby farmer’s case first conviction in eastern Ontario under new animal cruelty law.

Humane society inspectors first charged Mouawad for “permitting distress to and not meeting the standards of care for animals” in his possession on Oct. 20, after an inspector found a nine-year-old Rottweiler type dog with an apparent injury on its leg.

On Dec. 10, inspectors laid more charges against Mouawad after inspectors found several farm animals living without adequate access to food and water.

“The judge today issued a fair sentence in what is a precedent-setting case for us,” said OHS inspector Tim Brown.

“We hope that this ruling acts as a deterrent to other hobby farmers who may raise animals for meat. No matter their intended purpose, consideration must be given to an animal’s well-being and welfare throughout the course of its life.”

Farmers’ Week

The schedule is set in Grey Bruce.

Some of the featured keynote speakers are:

* Gib Drury from Quebec, the board chairman of Canada Beef Export Federation, will present honey comb tripe.

* Dr. Hubert J. Karreman, VMD, dairy veterinarian, Penn Dutch Cow Care, U.S.A., will discuss, dairy cows and the landscape.

* Dr. Danica Baines, research scientist, will discuss bacterial pathogens and cellular interactions.

* Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will present information on sheep day and goat day about probiotics and prebiotics and how they can help goats or sheep?

* Lawrence Andres, organic dairy farmer and a member of the National Animal Welfare Task Force, will delve into animal welfare on organic farms.

Chicken survey

Poll commissioned by Vancouver Humane Society says majority of Canadians willing to pay more for “humanely” produced food and in favour of ban on battery cages.

British Columbians were the most opposed to the use of battery cages, with 69% supporting a provincial ban, followed by Quebec (66%), Alberta (65%) and Ontario (61%). Results from a similar poll in 2007 suggest there has been an increase in public support for a ban over the past two years.

Countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands have all banned the use of battery cages, as will the entire European Union as of 2012, and the State of California in 2015.

“Canadians are becoming more compassionate as they learn more about how our food is actually produced,” said Leanne McConnachie, Director of Farm Animal Programs for VHS. “If consumers want to make a difference now, the best option is to make compassionate choices in the grocery store. In Canada, Certified Organic standards guarantee that the eggs come from free-range and free-run hens.”

Also, majority of Canadians think everything’s fine.

The poll also found that 62 percent of Canadians believe farm animals are treated humanely in the process of producing food and other products.

VHS has slick site here.