Three diverse approaches to animal welfare were recognized at the Alberta Farm Animal Care association meeting in Olds March 23.
The communication award was presented to Ric Henderson of Red Deer County for the development of the province’s first livestock em-ergency handling rescue trailer. Other municipalities have modeled their rescue trailers after this mobile facility, which contains rescue equipment to help animals involved in a transport accident or other emergency.
The leadership award was given to Dylan and Colleen Biggs of Hanna, whose TK Ranch raises beef, chicken, pork and lamb and has integrated low stress livestock handling and beneficial management practices for livestock for 20 years.
The ranch has been animal welfare approved since 2011. Meat products are direct marketed and also found in Alberta retail outlets.
The innovation award went to Jenna Griffin, the industry liaison officer with Egg Farmers of Alberta.
Diverse groups were brought together under her guidance to research questions such as beak treatments and feather cover as well as a new project to offer more humane euthanization of birds.
