Alberta Farm Animal Care has presented Agriculture Canada researcher Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein with its farm animal care innovation award of distinction.
Based at Agriculture Canada’s Lethbridge research centre, her work has focused on animal welfare, feedlot health, pain management and livestock transportation.
The award, presented at the AFAC annual meeting in Calgary March 23, recognizes those who have made a significant impact on livestock welfare.
Schwartzkopf-Genswein grew up in Alberta and obtained her doctorate in applied animal ethology from the University of Saskatchewan. Her most recent work includes serving as co-chair of the scientific committee revising the beef cattle code of practice.
Her long-term study on the effects of short haul and long haul transportation of beef cattle found most animals handle the trips without injury. The study also examined the effects of travel on weight loss and shrink.
Its conclusions contributed to training for livestock transporters.
