Canada’s Code of Practice for the care and handling of dairy cattle is up for review and public comment

Calf housing requirements in the code show some positive change, namely, that calves must be housed in pairs or small groups. However, the phase in date of 2033 (12 years) is much too long. We believe five years is enough time for producers to achieve this change.

Tie stalls are a form of housing common to the dairy industry where cows are tethered at the neck to their stall, restricting their movement and their ability to socialize, graze and groom, and perform other natural behaviours. On some farms, tied cattle are permitted seasonal access to pasture, but otherwise their movements are restricted compared with cows housed in free stall barns or other loose housing systems. Approximately 75% of dairy farms use tie stall housing.

Research shows that cows benefit greatly from access to outdoors and being on pasture. Housing attributes are extremely important to dairy cow welfare and comfort. Animals should be in systems that permit them to walk around and socialize, access the outdoors, lie down comfortably (some stalls are too small for cows causing chronic health problem). Deeply bedded stalls that permit cows to lie down comfortably helps to prevent lameness and mastitis - two common health conditions afflicting dairy cows.

Tie stalls should be phased out. The Canadian Organic Standard already requires producers to phase out tie stalls by 2030 and we believe that NFACC should include this in the updated code for all producers.

At the end of their productive period, dairy cows are sent to slaughter. In many cases, animals are already suffering from illness or painful conditions such as lameness (foot or limb injuries), mastitis (infection of the mammary glands), digestive disorders, poor body condition or respiratory disease.

Given the long-recognized welfare concerns of cull dairy cows, the code now requires farmers to assess animals for ‘fitness for transport’.

• Let the code committee know that you support this change and that its important farmers are educated on the importance of shipping only health, fit animals.
• There should be an explicit requirement that says cows still in heavy lactation must be dried off before shipping.
• Only healthy, fit animals without injury or illness must be shipped to assembly centres, breeding stock sales and livestock sales.

When dairy cows give birth, the calf is removed immediately, before the mother and calf have time to bond. The reasoning is that it reduces the distress to the mother and calf compared to later separation. It also preserves the cow’s milk for human consumption. However, there are alternatives, such as gradual weaning at a more natural pace. Some farmers have adopted or are beginning to experiment with this approach which is considered more humane.

Cow-calf separation an issue that is receiving increasing attention from the public, animal welfare scientists and farmers. The issue being included in the code’s scientific report is a testament to this fact. However, the code neglects to address it altogether. Although it is a challenging and contentious issue, the industry must acknowledge it and begin to look at improvements can be made for the future.

We recommend this issue be included in the code to ensure it’s identified as an area to be better understood and to prepare producers for future change. This is an important first step. Producers and industry should be prepared to explore practices that promote keeping calves with the dams for extended periods, with gradual weaning and separation, depending upon research findings in this area.

It is also important to acknowledge the positive advances made by the industry in this code. Below are areas where the code shows meaningful improvement.

• There is a stronger position against electric trainers in this code. However, the wording is ambiguous and could be revised for clarity by removing the “recommendation” that says,” “for maintenance: position the trainer to 10 cm (4 in) or higher above the top line of cattle after the training period.”
• Calf feeding requirements are better and include feeding calves to “satiety”
• The bedding requirement for cows as good bedding will positively impact cow comfort and injury healing
• There are now strict rules against the use of electric prods, requirements for pain management for dehorning and disbudding, and prohibition of tail-docking and branding