Code of Practice

Recommended Codes of Practice have been developed to guide farmers, ranchers and others who work with livestock in their day-to-day handling of farm animals. There are Recommended Codes of Practice for poultry, hogs, veal, dairy cattle, deer, horses, sheep, animals raised on farms for their fur, livestock transportation as well as for beef cattle. The Codes have been drafted through close consultation with farmers, government researchers, animal scientists, industry and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. Recommended Codes are regarded as superior to legislation in that they set optimum standards of animal care, whereas legislation can only establish minimum standards. In addition, these Codes are easily revised and updated to reflect advances in husbandry practices.

The Recommended Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle was most recently updated in 2007. Experts in all aspects of beef cattle production were consulted to ensure that it reflected the most up-to-date practices and any necessary changes were recommended. The revised Code was also reviewed and approved by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

Some of the topics covered in the beef cattle code of practice include:

• Housing and shelter for cattle
• Feeding and watering
• Best practices for handling cattle
• Care during calving
• Transportation of cattle