Are Consumers Willing to Pay for Animal Welfare?

We found this article interesting. Although it’s out of the United States, the findings would be mirrored in Canada  - OFAC

http://www.dairyherd.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=11876&news_id=28210&ts=nl2

July 15, 2010 – Research presented recently at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting looked at consumer-purchasing decisions when it comes to animal welfare.

What would happen if all consumers were informed about the different types of egg and pork production systems available, and were allowed to purchase egg and pork products from these different systems? asked Bailey Norwood, associate professor at Oklahoma State University. The only difference between the food products would be the level of animal welfare. And, suppose that the price premium attached to products with higher standards of animal care exactly equals the estimated cost premiums. What would happen?


Posted by OFAC on July 30th, 2010 :: Filed under Animal care, Consumers, Education and public awareness, Pork, Uncategorized, eggs

Earth Day on the Farm

Food From Greener Pastures
Beef Producers: Stewards of the land, for now and for the future

Kim Sytsma and her husband Charlie of Eighth Line Farm in Ontario, like many Canadian beef producers, work every day to ensure both the land they manage and the business they built are not only sustained, but improved for future generations of Canadians. “It’s my job to leave the land better than I found it,” says Kim.


Posted by OFAC on April 21st, 2010 :: Filed under Beef cattle, Canada, Global Warming, Sustainability of the family farm, Uncategorized
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Charity Navigator Downgrades Humane Society of the United States Ranking

Richest Animal Rights Group Now Ranked Lower Than PETA

WASHINGTON, April 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) pointed to a newly downgraded rating from Charity Navigator as evidence that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is not adequately fulfilling its stated charitable purpose.


Posted by BCFACC on April 7th, 2010 :: Filed under Activism, Consumers, Education and public awareness, Uncategorized

New Temple Grandin movie on HBO

Check out Claire Danes as Dr. Temple Grandin on the new HBO movie – Grandin. Dr. Temple Grandin has come to Ontario many times to “standing room only” events to talk with farmers and meat processing plant staff to improve farm animal welfare. This woman is truly remarkable and has helped more animals than any activist group could ever imagine, with very little fanfare. Sounds like Dane and this movie will help take the awareness of her incredible work beyond the farm and autism communities.

OFAC


Posted by OFAC on February 8th, 2010 :: Filed under Uncategorized
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Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada

Posted by AFAC – Promoting the humane handling of horses throughout all their life stages.

Statement of Purpose: The communication of correct information related to the Canadian horse industry to horse owners and the general public.

Visit horsewelfare.ca for information.


Posted by AFAC on January 8th, 2010 :: Filed under Uncategorized

Horses: Wintering Well

Posted by AFAC – We’ve had a few successive “soft” winters, but this year we’re starting off with what’s looking like one of the old fashioned kind. November has been overcast, blustery, quite cool, and we have nearly two feet (60 cm. plus) of snow on the level in our neck of the woods. Good sleighing – poor trucking!

Recollecting life on the homestead in northeast Saskatchewan in the early 1940’s, I remember bands of horses ranging free in winter, travelling through the yard, and on to the stubble fields or next hay meadow. In the spring, “winter lumberjacks” would become “summer stubble jumpers“, catching up and laying claim to an outfit for seeding, haying, bindering, stook threshing, perhaps hauling wood, before turning the horses loose, and themselves heading back to the winter bush camps. We had our feed stacks fenced in next to the barn, protected and handy for Mom and her wee boys to feed our own stock, horses haltered and housed, handled and hitched every day. Quite a contrast, but those running out and those stabled in all seemed to prosper! I’m recounting this because it seems we are now in an age of “free expression” on standards of equine care. “Those who think they know may be a source of some annoyance to those of you who do!”


Posted by AFAC on January 8th, 2010 :: Filed under Farm life, Horses, Uncategorized

The Realities of Rural Life

There’s a lot to think about when moving to the country. Sometimes the reality is very different than the dream although most farmers work hard to get to know their non-farm neighbours and explain to them the processes that must happen for a farm to run smoothly. We like the way this writer from the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder explores this conundrum.

The realities of rural life
The Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
Wed Oct 28 2009
Page: 3
Section: News
Byline: ANGELA DORIE;
Column: Over The Farm Gate
Over the years, the balance of those dwelling and working in rural Ontario has changed… and not necessarily for the better. Presently less than 1 per cent of the rural population are actual farmers as defined by the “Farming and Food Production Protection Act” ( FFPPA) and many conflicts arise between them and the non-farmers.


Posted by OFAC on December 24th, 2009 :: Filed under Farm life, Innovation and technology, Regulations, Uncategorized

On-the-road displays are a credit to farming

Guelph Mercury
Owen Roberts
September 08, 2009

Ontario farmers – and those who represent them—are hitting the road waving their eat-local, eat-healthy flags.

Farmers are determined to capitalize on a market just waiting for reasons to support them, and to better understand where food comes from.

Provincial Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky was in Guelph late last month to announce details about the new There’s No Taste Like Home mobile educational trailer. The ministry says the trailer, outfitted with a fully equipped kitchen, will be used to promote local food through cooking demonstrations and tasting opportunities at industry, community and school events across the province.


Posted by OFAC on September 21st, 2009 :: Filed under Uncategorized

Jeff Butchers Builds Cow Comfort from the Ground Up

By Suzanne Atkinson – AgriNews Contributor, Eastern Ontario AgriNews
June, 2008

Bart Nelson is bored. So are his cows.

On a day that could be fraught with bawls of distressed cattle, classic man vs. beast battles of brawn and lost production, boredom is a good thing.


Posted by Admin on July 13th, 2009 :: Filed under Uncategorized
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