The welfare of dairy cows will be the focus of a conference in Charlottetown, Sept. 20-21.
The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare’s 15th annual Animal Welfare event will take place at the Atlantic Veterinary College.
Dr. Kathryn Proudfoot, incoming director of SJDAWC at the college and animal welfare scientist, will be the keynote speaker.
She will give a talk entitled “On-farm welfare assessment: How do we know if dairy cows have good welfare?’’ on Friday at 7 p.m. in the college’s lecture theatre A.
The presentation is open to the public.
Proudfoot’s research focuses on themes related to maternal behaviour in dairy cattle, veal calf health and welfare and measuring stress in animals, with collaboration on welfare-related research in many species.
During her current appointment at Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, she led the development of the animal welfare curriculum.
She also carries out service/extension through education programs for veterinarians and dairy producers.
Proudfoot will begin her position of the SJDAWC and as an associate professor in the departments of companion animals and health management on Oct. 1.
On Saturday, Sept. 21, the conference features sessions ion various aspects of dairy cow welfare.
Nancy Douglas, proAction co-ordinator with the Dairy Farmers of P.E.I., will speak about proAction, a national program through which farmers demonstrate their commitment to the health and welfare of their animals and to ensuring milk quality and safety.
Dr. Shawn McKenna, associate professor and Farm Service chief at AVC, will speak about the National Farm Animal Care Council’s dairy code.
Proudfoot will give presentations on reducing the risk of lameness and hock lesions by improving cow comfort and on special needs housing from the cow’s perspective.
The conference will wrap up with an interactive session, involving all three presenters, on improving dairy welfare an on-farm assessment.
Registration is required to attend the sessions on Saturday, which are open to producers and others involved in the dairy industry, veterinarians, veterinary students and animal health technicians.
The deadline to register is Sept. 17.
