• The labour gap in the Canadian beef industry grew by 4,196 workers between 2017 and 2022 and is forecast to increase to 13,998 by 2029.
• Industry stakeholders display a clear recognition in the value of hired labour and the need for continuous improvement in socially responsible recruitment and retention practices, such as benefits and wages, and professional development opportunities.

Health and safety at work concerns the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being, and capabilities of all individuals involved in business operations, including employees but also producers and the people living on the farm.

• Workload is ranked among the top 5 stressors for beef farmers.

About half of participants working on-farm indicated a large amount of stress leading to impacts on health such as sleep loss, changes in appetite, and body/headaches.
Three-quarters of those surveyed reported experiencing levels of disturbing stress affecting mental and physical health.

• Positive conversations around stress and mental health have increased, building awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health challenges.
• Taking an adaptive management approach to training and equipment use could significantly improve self-reported hazard awareness and safety.
• The average annual agricultural fatality rate has decreased by 1.4% each year since 1990.

Animal care refers to animal health and welfare through activities that humans undertake as part of the beef supply chain. 

It is about providing for the physical and mental well-being of animals (The Five Freedoms), and meeting or exceeding consumer expectations.

The foundation for animal care is guided by the Five Freedoms which must be upheld. These five freedoms include: freedom from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury and disease, fear and distress, and freedom to express normal behavior.

Further outlining the care and handling of beef cattle, a Code of Practice was developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council in conjunction with welfare researchers, veterinarians, animal welfare groups and other stakeholders. The code highlights requirements and recommendations to ensure the health and welfare of beef cattle, while providing avenues for further improvement.

• 97% of beef farmers surveyed supported animal welfare through training their handlers on low-stress animal handling, with 69% doing so through generational and/or spoken knowledge transfer.
• 88% of beef farmers surveyed have taken measures over the last three-years to support cattle through extreme weather events.
• 81% of respondents declared having a Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship (VCPR).

Animal care is a success story in Canada. 

Increased practice adoption, coordination and communication across businesses, sectors, and industries may be needed to ensure animal care throughout the cattle’s life cycle.

Antimicrobials, which include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and antiparasitics, are instrumental for ensuring animal health in livestock agriculture.

Proper use is critical for mitigating adverse effects, and ensuring the health of animals, people and the environment.

• 79% of respondents using antimicrobials declared that veterinary and/or label instructions on how to administer the product are systematically followed.
• Protecting the health of animals through optimal nutritional, health, weaning
  management, marketing, and biosecurity practices is key to antimicrobial stewardship.
  

Although 95% of beef farmers and ranchers report using antimicrobials to help manage the health of their animals, 88% of them need to treat <5% of calves before being weaned from their mothers, and 91% treat <5% of their mother cows.¹

The variety of opinions and perceptions with respect to antimicrobial use (AMU) vary within in the industry. Room for improvement also exists with respect to the adoption of management practices associated with responsible AMU, including further reduction of stressors and increased access to veterinarians in some regions.

1. Fossen et al. – Antimicrobial Use in Canadian Cow-calf Herd. Canadian Veterinary Journal