source: Farm and Food Report
Two Saskatchewan cattle operations recently received kudos from the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), for the exceptional way in which they take care of their animals.
Les and Linda Johnston of Fillmore and Conrad and Alice Vogel of Pelly were awarded Producer of the Year Awards at a special luncheon in Regina on April 9 (date?).
Reached at home, Les Johnston admitted he was pleasantly surprised to find out he and his wife Linda had been selected as award recipients.
“Caring for animals is just the way we do business at our place. We run a cow/calf operation with a herd of 400 animals — calving 170. We also produce replacement cattle, both bulls and females. We raise purebred Simmentals and our prime beef product, Simmental cross Angus.”
Johnson believes the fact that their Nisku Farms was one of the first 50 beef operations in Canada to participate in the National Verified Beef Program played a role in receiving this award.
“It is a whole new way to manage your operation. Everything is documented. The records you keep guarantee the safety of the consumer, and the traceability aspects really stand out. The system itself allows you to improve your production practices significantly by viewing each animal individually. I say we are no longer cowboys — we are food producers. You must start asking yourself how the things you do as a producer will affect the animal, given the knowledge that someone down the road will be eating this animal.”
Johnston explains how he and his wife Linda started to look at a few things around their operation, like stress and how it impacts livestock production.
“You may not realize it, but stress costs you money if it is a factor in your herd. We wanted to make our cattle comfortable to reduce stress by making sure the environment they live in minimized it. We spread the animals out and introduced fall grazing on a larger scale.”
He made sure the animals weren’t cooped up in pens, and then looked at their water supply.
“We introduced solar-powered pumps to pump water from dugouts into large troughs in order to avoid them standing in the water. We also segregate our animals into groups of the same age so they can compete with each other on an equal footing, so you don’t have a two year-old cow competing with a 10 year-old. We also have a whole herd health program.”
Practices that encourage the maintenance of a healthy herd likely also contributed to the selection of award winners Alice and Conrad Vogel.
The family raises Charolais beef and elk. Alice says Conrad really knows how to take care of his animals. Giving the best feed and making sure they have decent bedding is all part of the royal treatment dispensed at this Pelly ranch.
The Vogel’s yard is bright, open, welcoming, and immaculate. Cindy Smith is a former Animal Technician who has had a first hand look at their operation.
“A large hip-roof barn sits across the driveway from their stately home,” Smith describes. “The status of the barn in this beautiful yard is a representation of the status the animals hold for the Vogel family. Conrad and Alice demonstrate exceptional standards of care for the animals. This compassionate eye has led to the development of state-of-the-art handling facilities.”
From the smallest details, like gate latches, to larger undertakings such as indoor holding chutes and handling systems for easy veterinary care, all management aspects of the operation reflect careful observation and ensure the psychological well-being of the animals.
So, how do these folks view receiving the award? Les Johnson believes it is quite an honour.
“Usually when you hear about the SSPCA, it is about a disaster: dozens of cats found starving in a house or some herd of cattle malnourished and dying. I see this kind of recognition by the SSPCA as an educational opportunity to feature the steps cattlemen and women are taking today to raise animals sensibly. It is about recognizing that good ethical practices will lead to more profitable operations and to a better food source for consumers in the end.”
For more information, contact:
Frances Wach
Saskatchewan SPCA
(306) 382-4471
Two Saskatchewan cattle operations recently received kudos from the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), for the exceptional way in which they take care of their animals.
Les and Linda Johnston of Fillmore and Conrad and Alice Vogel of Pelly were awarded Producer of the Year Awards at a special luncheon in Regina on April 9 (date?).
Reached at home, Les Johnston admitted he was pleasantly surprised to find out he and his wife Linda had been selected as award recipients.
“Caring for animals is just the way we do business at our place. We run a cow/calf operation with a herd of 400 animals — calving 170. We also produce replacement cattle, both bulls and females. We raise purebred Simmentals and our prime beef product, Simmental cross Angus.”
Johnson believes the fact that their Nisku Farms was one of the first 50 beef operations in Canada to participate in the National Verified Beef Program played a role in receiving this award.
“It is a whole new way to manage your operation. Everything is documented. The records you keep guarantee the safety of the consumer, and the traceability aspects really stand out. The system itself allows you to improve your production practices significantly by viewing each animal individually. I say we are no longer cowboys — we are food producers. You must start asking yourself how the things you do as a producer will affect the animal, given the knowledge that someone down the road will be eating this animal.”
Johnston explains how he and his wife Linda started to look at a few things around their operation, like stress and how it impacts livestock production.
“You may not realize it, but stress costs you money if it is a factor in your herd. We wanted to make our cattle comfortable to reduce stress by making sure the environment they live in minimized it. We spread the animals out and introduced fall grazing on a larger scale.”
He made sure the animals weren’t cooped up in pens, and then looked at their water supply.
“We introduced solar-powered pumps to pump water from dugouts into large troughs in order to avoid them standing in the water. We also segregate our animals into groups of the same age so they can compete with each other on an equal footing, so you don’t have a two year-old cow competing with a 10 year-old. We also have a whole herd health program.”
Practices that encourage the maintenance of a healthy herd likely also contributed to the selection of award winners Alice and Conrad Vogel.
The family raises Charolais beef and elk. Alice says Conrad really knows how to take care of his animals. Giving the best feed and making sure they have decent bedding is all part of the royal treatment dispensed at this Pelly ranch.
The Vogel’s yard is bright, open, welcoming, and immaculate. Cindy Smith is a former Animal Technician who has had a first hand look at their operation.
“A large hip-roof barn sits across the driveway from their stately home,” Smith describes. “The status of the barn in this beautiful yard is a representation of the status the animals hold for the Vogel family. Conrad and Alice demonstrate exceptional standards of care for the animals. This compassionate eye has led to the development of state-of-the-art handling facilities.”
From the smallest details, like gate latches, to larger undertakings such as indoor holding chutes and handling systems for easy veterinary care, all management aspects of the operation reflect careful observation and ensure the psychological well-being of the animals.
So, how do these folks view receiving the award? Les Johnson believes it is quite an honour.
“Usually when you hear about the SSPCA, it is about a disaster: dozens of cats found starving in a house or some herd of cattle malnourished and dying. I see this kind of recognition by the SSPCA as an educational opportunity to feature the steps cattlemen and women are taking today to raise animals sensibly. It is about recognizing that good ethical practices will lead to more profitable operations and to a better food source for consumers in the end.”
For more information, contact:
Frances Wach
Saskatchewan SPCA
(306) 382-4471
Comments