Posts

The Top 5 blog posts of 2017

/19 Comments/in , , /by

Thanks for reading our blog this year. We hope you’ve enjoyed the information we’ve shared about how Alberta’s cattle feeders operate, the innovations they’ve introduced and the challenges they face.

As we head into 2018, we’re looking back at the most popular blog posts from 2017. Here are the posts most read and shared by you, our readers:

New program customizes farm safety for feedlots. Cattle feeding is a unique industry, and the requirements of a feedlot safety program cannot be met by standardized programs. In this post, we explained a safety program that feedlot operators can customize to their own operation.

5 feedlot issues to watch for in 2017. Transportation, traceability, trade, safety and infrastructure were all flagged as important issues for Alberta’s cattle feeders, and which we covered in posts during the year.

Why Lethbridge County cattle feeders could be leaving via new roads. This was one of several posts discussing proposed legislative or tax changes that could impede the profitability of cattle feeders.

Meet the team: Ryan Kasko, vice-chair of the board. In 2017, we introduced Ryan as our vice-chair, and this year we look forward to having him serve as our new Chair. Martin Zuidhof will become the Past Chair. The Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association is fortunate to have such committed and knowledgeable individuals serving on its board.

Canadian beef in demand: feeding the European market and why it matters. The importance of international trade to Canada’s beef industry has been a theme throughout the year. In this post, we introduced one of the few Canadian feedlots that produces beef that meets the requirements of the European market.

We’re glad you enjoyed these posts, and we’re already hard at work planning a great series for 2018. Stay tuned – and in the meantime, Happy New Year!

Why a new safety audit will help feedlots operate safely

/12 Comments/in , /by

Alberta’s feedlot owners work hard to ensure that their operations are safe – for their employees, animals and the environment.

In recent blog posts, we have described how programs such as ACFA’s Alberta Feedlot Safety Program and the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council’s (CAHRC) Agri HR Toolkit are helping cattle feeders build comprehensive, effective safety programs. But how can business owners be sure they are implementing those programs correctly and fully?

That’s where auditing comes in. We spoke with Nick Schefter, senior safety coordinator with Critical Hazard HSE Ltd., to learn about the next step for feedlot operators’ safety programs.

Why audits matter

Nick explained that an audit is a valuable chance to make sure safety program implementation is on track.

“We come in to ensure they have understood and introduced every element of the program correctly, and that it is being implemented fully across the operation. We review all the processes put in place and we look at documentation to make sure they’re filling it out. For instance, if vehicles are supposed to be inspected weekly, we check whether that’s happening and being properly documented.”

Why feedlot owners care about safety

The Alberta Feedlot Safety Program is widely supported in the industry because it covers everything from employee health and safety to environmental protection and emergency response. It is the first program to help feedlot operators create a safety program customized to their industry.

Many cattle feeding companies have implemented the ACFA’s Alberta Feedlot Safety Program. “These companies are leaders in the industry when it comes to safety,” Nick said.

Implementing the safety program and passing regular safety audits prevents injuries and fatalities so everyone returns home safely from the feedlot. 

If you’d like to read more about farm safety, and cattle feeders’ initiatives, check out these blog posts:

New HR Toolkit provides the building blocks for an effective farm safety program

/12 Comments/in , /by

Today’s farmer realizes the importance of formalized safety programs when it comes to keeping their employees safe and their operations running smoothly. But the challenge with standardized safety programs for farms is the unique nature of every operation.

That’s why the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) put together an Agri HR Toolkit specifically for farms. The toolkit gives agricultural operations of all types and sizes the information and resources they need to understand their responsibilities and liabilities, and to build a customized workforce management program.

CAHRC has recently updated the toolkit, and the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association has purchased a subscription for every one of their current members.

What is an HR toolkit?

That’s a question we asked CAHRC’s Project Manager, Tracy Biernacki-Dusza. Tracy explained that the toolkit covers everything involved in managing a workforce. It isn’t a safety program, but it does include a whole section on health and safety, with lots of detailed information on everything that should be considered when building a program, including steps to get started, links to other templates, and action plans. Some of the elements include:

    • Canadian Occupational Health and Safety legislation
    • WHMIS
    • Provincial legislation
    • Workplace conditions and expectations
    • Policies on drug and alcohol abuse
    • Hazard audits
    • Farm equipment safety
    • Animal safety
    • Bio-security

“It helps the business owner consider every aspect of their workforce management, to protect themselves and their employees. It includes everything from health and safety policies to hiring; from workplace wellness to succession planning – and lots more,” said Tracy.

Why is the toolkit an important resource?

Because agriculture is such a unique industry, the Agri HR Toolkit has been designed to be extremely customizable. “Rather than a checklist, we’ve included the information in a human resources handbook,” Tracy explained. “It runs through all the policies and procedures a farm operator should have in place, and helps them work out how they pertain to their operation.”

As part of their work with ACFA, CAHRC has helped create seven different feedlot role job descriptions, complete with training requirements, and has conducted training sessions on recruitment, selection and hiring.

Good for owners and employees alike

The primary purpose of the toolkit is to help business owners comply with standards and legislation. By helping them make their operations safer for their employees and visitors to their farms, it will also protect them against employment related claims.

You can read more about safety in the agriculture industry in these earlier blog posts:

New program customizes farm safety for feedlots

/10 Comments/in , /by

Feedlot safety is a top priority for Alberta’s cattle feeders, but farming is unique, and the complexities of farm safety cannot be compared to any other sector. So how do you address safety in an industry where people often live where they work, raise their children there, and employ their friends and neighbours? Read more