US Experts Team up to Promote Cattle Well-Being
WASHINGTON - Leaders from academia and the beef industry are announcing the formation of an independent advisory group to focus on beef cattle health and well-being.
26 August 2009
2 minute read
The North American Food Animal Well-being Commission for Beef (NAFAWC-Beef)—which includes world-renowned experts in animal well-being—will advocate for increased research funding for animal well-being, facilitate the communication of research results in a more timely manner, advance best management practices in cattle health and welfare, and serve as an unbiased, science- and production- based group to address concerns about animal well-being, says National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).
Dan Thomson, Jones professor of production medicine and epidemiology at Kansas State University, and Joseph Stookey, professor of applied ethology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, will serve as commission co-chairs.
“Animal well-being issues extend beyond the agricultural community,” said Thomson. “People across the country are looking for more information on animal care and handling, and we’re eager to share our story with them. This new partnership brings an impressive wealth of experience and expertise to the table to help bolster ongoing research and education in the area of cattle care.”
NAFAWC-Beef will help direct research efforts, field studies and assessment tools for the North American beef industry in relation to beef cattle well-being in order to provide science-based recommendations for cattle management practices.
"This as a very unique opportunity for all of us to serve the various segments of the beef industry, society and ultimately the animals, in a responsible, scientific and unified manner,” said Stookey. “This initiative has a tremendous amount of potential, and I'm excited to help lay the foundation for this important work."
The commission’s public outreach efforts will focus on a number of groups across all levels of the beef chain, including: farming and ranching organizations, consumer groups, beef harvesting companies, veterinary groups, food retail and restaurant groups, and animal welfare groups.
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