Canada’s new code of practice for dairy cattle has drawn the attention of edairynews, an international online publication for the global dairy industry.
It said farmers planning seem to be barred from equipping them with tie stalls and electric trainers and calves can no longer be housed individually in hutches.
It notes that the new code says cows must not be tethered continuously throughout their entire production cycle, calving to calving.
Newly-built barns must allow daily untethered freedom of movement and social interactions year-round, a hint that tiestall barns could be a thing of the past.
Effective April 1, 2029, cattle on all farms, including existing barns and for those being built, must calve in loose-housed maternity pens, yards or pastures that permit cows to turn around.
Calving areas, whether for group or individual calving, must provide the cow and calf an area that is clean, safe, separated from the lactating herd and that provides enough space for the cow to be assisted.
Stocking densities of barns have also been identified as a new welfare requirement, increasing the space per cow when housed.
The stocking density in barns must not exceed 1.2 cows per stall in freestall systems.
Effective April 1, 2027, stocking density must not exceed 1.1 cows per stall.
Effective April 1, 2031, stocking density must not normally exceed one cow per stall.
That means all barns, including those newly built, must have adequate space for the number of cows it houses. If it doesn’t then cow numbers must be reduced.
Effective April 1, 2031, calves that are healthy, thriving and compatible must be housed in pairs or groups by four weeks of age.
