Beef Cattle Welfare Risk Assessment for Growing Forward 2

May 4, 2014

The Growing Forward 2 Livestock Welfare Producer Program is offered to livestock producers for
adoption of best management practices and technologies that improve livestock welfare. To be eligible
for the funding program, you must complete the Beef Cattle Risk Assessment for Growing Forward 2
which is based on the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle (2013)
(http://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/beef-cattle).

The risk assessment provides an opportunity to evaluate your current production practices, identify gaps
that may negatively affect cattle welfare and set priorities for improvement. This risk assessment is an
interim tool to enable funding through the Growing Forward 2 Livestock Welfare Producer Program that
will be used until national on-farm animal welfare programs have been launched by your industry.

The Growing Forward 2 Livestock Welfare Producer Program provides reimbursement for 50% of
approved capital and non-capital costs to a maximum amount of $50,000 per applicant over the
program term for activities in the following areas: 1) the elimination of injury and distress through the
adoption of low stress livestock handling systems 2) implementation of humane methods of livestock
euthanasia, 3) adoption of internationally recognized mass destruction technologies for compromised
livestock.

To complete the Growing Forward 2 Beef Cattle Welfare Assessment:

1. Indicate on the form whether the activity occurs

a. Most of the time (yes, Y)
b. Never (N)
c. Needs improvement (NI)
d. Not applicable (NA). NA is for items that do not pertain to your farm such as indoor
housing or aspects of production that you are not involved in (feedlot vs cow calf).
e. At the end of each section, summarize the areas that need improvement .
f. Prioritize your operations requirements, identify the items that may be eligible for
funding and complete your application. The risk assessment must be submitted with
your application.
2. This checklist is intended to allow for self-evaluation. You may choose to complete the checklist
on your own. However, you may hire a private industry consultant (e.g. veterinarian, welfare
specialist /ethologist) to complete the assessment. The GF2 Livestock Welfare Producer Program
will reimburse 50% up to a maximum assessment cost of $1,000 (maximum reimbursement of
$500) for the private industry consultant.
3. If you own more than one operation and each operation has its own premise identification and
a different land location, then you may apply for funding under Growing Forward 2 Livestock
Welfare Producer Program for each facility for permanently mounted equipment. You must
submit a risk assessment for each site with each application form.

May 4, 2014 Page 1 of 8

 Beef Cattle Welfare Risk Assessment for Growing Forward 2
May 4, 2014

Producer Information:
Applicant’s Legal Name:

Address:

City/Province:

Postal Code: Phone:

Fax: Email:

Premise ID: Land location and site identifier:

Primary Contact Person:

Type of Operation (check all that apply):

Cow/Calf Feedlot Backgrounder

General Information
Y N NI N/A
1. Owner, operator and staff are aware of the Code of Practice for the
Care and Handling of Beef Cattle 2013
2. Owner, operator and staff have a copy or access to the Code of Practice
for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle 2013
Priority Areas for Improvements:

All elements of the feedlot animal care program are important. Failure to address any one
area can result in animal suffering. Please review the Beef Code of Practice
http://www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/beef-cattle and consult your professional advisors
for assistance in improving animal care.

May 4, 2014 Page 2 of 8

Section 1. Animal Environment
Code Requirement Y N NI N/A
1. Cattle have access to areas (natural or man-made), that provide relief
from weather likely to create a welfare risk
2. Animals showing signs of not coping with adverse weather are promptly
assisted
3. Additional feed is provided to meet animals’ increased energy
requirements when facing cold stress
4. Your operation has access to equipment or facilities for the safe
handling, restraint, treatment, segregation, loading and unloading of
cattle
5. Traction is provided in handling areas to minimize cattle slips and falls
6. Indoor and outdoor facilities are well-drained and provide comfortable
resting areas.
7. Cattle have sufficient space to adopt normal resting postures at the
same time
8. Cattle are able to move freely around the pen and access feed and
water
9. Stocking density is such that weight gain and duration of time spent
lying is not adversely affected by crowding
10. Indoor air quality and ventilation is maintained at all times (ammonia <
25 ppm)
11. If housed indoors, cattle are provided with supplementary lighting to
allow natural behavior patterns and monitoring of the cattle
12. An environment is provided that is safe and clean for calving and which
promotes calf survival
Priority Areas for Welfare Improvements:

Section 2. Feed and Water

Code Requirement Y N NI N/A
1. The feeding program is adjusted on an ongoing basis according to cattle
behavior, body condition score and health
2. Cattle have access to feed of adequate quality & quantity at all times to
fulfill their nutritional requirements & maintain proper body condition
for their age, frame size, reproductive status, health status, level of
production, as well as weather conditions & amount of competition

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3. If the body condition score of an animal is 2 or less, prompt corrective
action is taken to improve body condition
4. Preventative measures are in place to avoid exposing cattle to toxins
(i.e. lead batteries, fertilizer, etc.) and feed with adverse physical
qualities that could cause injury or limit intake
5. Cattle have access to palatable water of adequate quality and quantity
to fulfill their physiological needs
6. Water sources are monitored regularly; watering program is adjusted
according to cattle feeding habits, behavior, performance & health
7. Snow is not used as a water source for lactating or newly-weaned
cattle, cattle that have a body condition score of less than 2.5, or cattle
that don’t have access to optimal feed resources
8. A back up water source is provided in the event of an interruption in
water supply e.g. power outage with no back-up generator, insufficient
loose snow or unacceptable cleanliness of snow
Priority Areas for Welfare Improvements:

Section 3. Animal Health

Code Requirement Y N NI N/A
1. You have an ongoing working relationship (veterinarian client patient
relationship or VCPR) with a licensed practicing veterinarian
2. You have developed a strategy for disease prevention and herd health
with your veterinarian
3. Cattle health is monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure prompt
treatment and care
4. Prompt, appropriate care, convalescence or treatment is provided to
sick, injured or lame cattle
5. If initial treatment protocols fail, treatment options are reassessed
and/or veterinary advice is sought
6. Cattle that are unlikely to recover, fail to respond to treatment, have
severe, chronic, or debilitating pain/distress, are unable to access or
consume feed and water, or show continuous weight loss/emaciation
are euthanized or culled without delay
7. The behavior of newly-arrived feedlot cattle is monitored regularly to
facilitate the early detection of illness
8. A disease prevention strategy is in place for new arrivals into a feedlot
9. The feeding program is designed to reduce the risk of nutrition-induced
disorders

May 4, 2014 Page 4 of 8

10. Cattle are transitioned from high-forage to high-energy rations
gradually
11. Bullers are promptly removed from their pen
12. A program for managing pregnant heifers in the feedlot is in place
13. A current emergency response plan is in place and reviewed regularly
with all personnel
Priority Areas for Welfare Improvements:

Section 4. Animal Husbandry

Code Requirement Y N NI N/A
1. Animal handlers are familiar (through training, experience or
mentorship) with cattle behavior & use low stress handling techniques
2. Electric prods are only used to assist movement of cattle when animal
or human safety is at risk, or as a last resort when all other humane
alternatives have failed and when cattle have a clear path to move
3. Electric prods are not used repeatedly on the same animal
4. Electric prods are not used on the genitals, face, udder or anal areas
5. Electric prods are not used on calves less than three months of age that
can be moved manually
6. Willful mistreatment or intentional harm of cattle is not permitted
(including but not limited to: beating an animal, slamming gates on
animals, allowing herd dogs to continue pushing cattle that have
nowhere to move, dragging or pushing cattle with machinery (unless to
protect human or animal safety)
7. Calving is monitored to identify calving difficulties and prompt
assistance is provided when required
8. Calves and recently-calved cows showing signs of distress are
monitored and promptly assisted
9. Cesarean sections are conducted using accepted surgical techniques,
appropriate local anesthesia and post-operative pain control, by a
veterinarian or qualified trained personnel
10. Spaying is carried out by a veterinarian or qualified trained personnel
11. A veterinarian is consulted regarding pain control when spaying heifers
12. Newborn calves are monitored to ensure suckling
13. Colostrum or commercial colostrum substitute is administered to
newborn calves who show signs of not having received colostrum
through suckling

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14. Cattle are identified using an approved ear tag as stipulated by
applicable regulations
15. When branding is required, it is performed with proper equipment,
restraint and by personnel with training or a sufficient combination of
knowledge and experience
16. Wet cattle are not branded
17. Dehorning is performed by competent personnel using proper, well-
maintained tools and accepted techniques
18. A veterinarian is consulted regarding the availability and advisability of
pain control for disbudding or dehorning beef cattle
19. Calves are disbudded while horn development is still at the horn bud
stage
20. Castration is performed by competent personnel using proper, clean,
well-maintained instruments and accepted techniques
21. A veterinarian is consulted regarding the availability and advisability of
pain control for castrating beef cattle
22. Beef cattle are not tail-docked, unless a veterinarian advises otherwise
Priority Areas for Welfare Improvements:

Section 5. Transportation
Code Requirement Y N NI N/A
1. Unfit cattle are not transported unless for veterinary diagnosis or
treatment under the advice of a veterinarian
2. Compromised animals are only transported with special provisions and
directly to their final destination
3. Cattle receive feed and water within five hours prior to loading if
transport will exceed 24 hours
4. Cows and heifers likely to give birth during the journey are not
transported, unless for veterinary diagnosis or treatment
5. Loading and unloading equipment, chutes or conveyances are free of
hazards
6. Transporters follow the most current federal and provincial animal
transport regulatory requirements
7. Cattle are transported by competent personnel (through training,
experience, or mentorship) using safe, well-maintained equipment
8. The right of the transporter to refuse to load cattle deemed unfit for
transport is respected and the reason for refusal is addressed
9. Cattle producers and transporters immediately report instances of
inhumane handling to the proper authorities

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10. Livestock are not loaded or unloaded in a manner likely to cause injury
or undue suffering
11. Cattle are able to stand in a normal posture without coming into
contact with the roof or upper deck of the vehicle
12. Cattle arriving that are unable to rise and walk unassisted (non-
ambulatory) are examined on arrival and their likelihood of recovery
assessed
13. If the animal is likely to recover, it is only unloaded for veterinary
treatment under the advice of a veterinarian
14. Non-ambulatory cattle are not dragged from a vehicle when conscious
15. Non-ambulatory cattle unlikely to recover are humanely stunned or
euthanized prior to unloading. Once unloaded, a stunned animal is
immediately confirmed dead or euthanized
16. Incompatible classes of cattle due to nature, temperament, sex, weight
or age are segregated
17. Transport vehicles and loading/unloading areas have proper ventilation
and protection from extreme weather (wind-chill, cold and heat)
18. Safe and secure footing or adequate bedding is provided
Priority Areas for Welfare Improvements:

Section 6. On-Farm Euthanasia

Code Requirement Y N NI N/A
1. An acceptable method for euthanizing cattle is used
2. Euthanasia is performed by competent personnel (through training,
experience, or mentorship)
3. Equipment used for euthanasia, such as guns or captive bolt devices,
are maintained according to manufacturers’ instructions
4. Non-ambulatory cattle are not dragged or forced to move prior to
euthanasia
5. Should the first attempt not render the animal immediately insensible,
a second euthanasia attempt is immediately performed
6. Death is confirmed before moving or leaving the animal

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Priority Areas for Welfare Improvements:

Section 7. Declaration
This checklist was completed by: Producer Veterinarian Ethologist
Name:

License/Registration # (if completed by veterinarian):

Date:

Signature:

Phone number (if different from above):

Submit this checklist with your application form to the Growing Forward Livestock Welfare
Producer Program. If you own more than one operation and each operation has its own
premise identification and a different land location, then you may apply for funding under
Growing Forward 2 Livestock Welfare Producer Program for each facility for permanently
mounted equipment. You must submit a risk assessment for each site with each application
form.

May 4, 2014 Page 8 of 8