By Shawne Ungs, Greg Wallace
As a leader in animal research and animal welfare practices, Iowa State University will host the 4th International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium July 16-18, 2014.
The symposium will bring together beef producers, processors, retailers, government officials, NGOs, animal scientists, veterinarians and students to discuss, debate and learn more about the specific welfare issues that are certain to impact and change the beef cattle industry, based on the ever-changing production practices and in response to animal welfare concerns in the livestock and poultry industries. Such issues will encompass all angles of the beef supply chain, including social concerns, production, environment, transportation, processing, marketing, trade regulations and legislation.
The two day symposium will be held at the newly opened $7 million state-of-the-art Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center as well as the ISU Alumni Center on the Iowa State University campus. Participants will have sessions focused on hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating lameness in beef cattle, and other on-farm techniques, as well as in-depth discussions about current and future beef cattle welfare concerns.
World-renowned beef cattle experts, bovine practitioners and animal scientists from Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Canada and the United States will provide an international perspective on global issues such as the impact of stress on the health and welfare of beef cattle, strategies for reducing stress and improving welfare at weaning and understanding and managing the animal welfare impacts of painful procedures in beef cattle
Source:iastate.edu