Alberta Farm Animal Care has recognized three individuals for their contributions to animal welfare.
Jeff Ball of Ballco Feeders at Brant, Alta., received an industry leadership award at the AFAC annual meeting in Red Deer. Ball and his staff implemented a series of procedures to improve animal handling and developed standards for euthanasia and management for sick animals at the 15,000 head feedlot.
“It’s not a closed book on what we are developing. We are still trying to improve on it,” Ball said.
The innovation award went to Jennifer Woods of Blackie, Alta., who developed a livestock emergency response program that has been delivered to more than 550 people. The course teaches firefighters, police and other emergency responders how to rescue animals involved in road accidents and how to properly kill injured livestock.
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“It has taken on a life of its own,” she said.
The program has set up a toll free number to be called in the event of a livestock related accident and a special team has been trained to respond to incidents anywhere in the province.
Veterinarian Roy Lewis of Westlock, Alta., received the communication award. While keeping up a full-time practice, he is also involved in education programs and is a regular contributor to columns in the Western Producer and livestock publications to teach better animal handling practices to a larger audience.
He is a strong advocate of teaching humane euthanasia and promoting improved livestock transportation practices.
