The annual Livestock Care Conference offers participants the opportunity to hear from a mix of local, provincial, national and even international professionals, say officials.
“We always pull together a really good lineup of speakers,” said Dr. Angela Greter, from High River, who works with Alberta Farm Animal Care, which is hosting the conference in Olds from March 22-23.
The conference is a way for producers, industry members, students and others with an interest in responsible livestock care to keep on top of the issue across the country as well as around the world.
Participants benefit by learning what's currently going on with livestock care and what might also be coming along in the near future.
People will be able to get engaged during interactive sessions and perhaps get a different perspective as well, she said, adding there are also many opportunities to network.
One of the issues to be discussed will be accessing global markets from a U.S. perspective, and how to move product into other places like European countries, which have more stringent rules. In other words, participants will have a chance to learn how to work with and access foreign markets, she said.
A couple of speakers will also be discussing animal welfare around the world, including in developing countries, she said.
As a professional who works in animal care, Greter said the issue is an area that's “near and dear to my heart.”
Talking about the issues, as opposed to simply acknowledging them, is a preferable approach, she said.
“It's a huge issue — it's not going away,” she said. “It's important to keep it at the forefront of our minds.”
Humane livestock care is increasingly important to consumers as well as producers, she said.
“It impacts the social licence and market acceptance of animal agriculture, both in Canada and around the world. Keeping up with the latest best practices and issue management options has become critical to success for modern agriculture,” she said.
Registration is now open for the long-standing annual conference, designed for producers, industry, students and others with an interest in responsible livestock care. Complete agenda details and registration information is available at www.afac.ab.ca.
“We encourage everyone with an interest in livestock care to attend and contribute to the knowledge sharing,” she said.
Keeping up with the latest best practices and issue management options has become critical to success for modern agriculture."Dr. Angela Grete
