RED DEER Ñ Awards for outstanding animal care have been awarded to an Alberta packer, a Hutterite colony and longtime agricultural education volunteer.
Each year, the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association recognizes industry leaders, innovators and communicators for contributions to improving farm animal welfare.
This year’s leadership award went to Matt Schoonderwoerd, director of veterinary affairs and pork quality with Olymel in Red Deer. Schoonderwoerd integrated the pork industry’s Canadian Quality Assurance Program and implemented an internal auditing system for animal welfare at Olymel.
He also help set up a data collection system to report an animal’s health status back to the producer. This feedback system is used to communicate with producers and help them improve the care given to animals before they enter the plant.
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The communication award went to education volunteer Debbie Lee of Calgary, who for the last 20 years has organized cow milking demonstrations at the Calgary Stampede, Klondike Days and Aggie Days, preaching the message that farmers care for their animals.
The innovation award was presented to Plain Lake Colony in Two Hills, Alta., for developing a free run aviary system for laying hens. The system, which houses birds in an open area rather than in cages, comprises slated floors separated by nest boxes and an automatic egg collection system that runs down the middle of the barn.
The slatted floor areas are equipped with water and feed dispensers. The barn also has multi-level perches for roosting. Belts run under the slated floors to remove manure.
An honourable mention was also made for the colony’s group housing and electronic feeding system for sows.
