2026 - Verified Beef Production Plus

VBP+ Record Keeping Made Easy

Every year, a beef operation collects a wealth of information, from tracking health treatments to documenting calvings and animal movements. Keeping those records organized makes it easier to monitor performance, answer questions as they arise and use past experience to inform future decisions. An annual record review can also help producers spot trends, track inventory and identify areas that may warrant further attention.

For producers participating in Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+), maintaining accurate records is an important part of meeting certification requirements. While records can be kept in many ways— from paper and pen to software programs for certification purposes— having a reliable system to record and organize information is essential.

VBP+ offers printable record templates as well as a spreadsheet-based digital option for beef producers wanting a starting point for record keeping or to enhance an existing record-keeping system.

Available at no cost, the VBP+ Digital Record-Keeping Tool brings required certification records and other useful templates together in one place. It includes a Yearly Dashboard tab for an at-a-glance overview of treatments, animal movements, calvings and other key activities.

All Your Records in One Place

The Digital Record-Keeping Tool is one spreadsheet including multiple tabs, each designed for a specific type of record. It includes records required for VBP+ Certification, plus additional records and templates that can support day-to-day management, emergency planning and long-term improvements.

Records Required for VBP+ Certification

Records required for VBP+ Certification are included in the workbook and itemized in the table of contents. They support management practices related to animal health, welfare and food safety:

For operations where applicable:

Other Helpful Records and Templates

The Digital Record-Keeping Tool also includes templates that are not required for VBP+ Certification but are useful for tracking operation practices:

Calving Record
Transfer of Care Template
Animal Movement Record
Visitor Log
Emergency Contact List
Shipping Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) – only available as part of the Digital Record-Keeping Tool

Getting Started with Digital Records

Download the Digital Record-Keeping Tool Excel file or create a copy of the Google Sheet and save a copy to your computer or tablet so records can be maintained and accessed whenever needed.
Enter data. Coloured cells indicate where operation-specific information should be entered.
Once information is entered, the cell colour is removed, making it easier to identify incomplete fields.

Records Made Simple

The VBP+ Digital Record-Keeping Tool includes features designed to make record keeping straightforward, ensuring information is captured consistently.

Recording Treatments and Medication Use

The Treatment Record tabs products can be selected from a drop-down menu, with options pulled from the Medication Reference Table tab. Commonly used medications are included in this tab, and additional medications may be added as necessary.

Treatment information and withdrawal dates are automatically populated from the Medication Reference Table based on the selected product.

Accurate treatment records are a valuable information source when confirming which animals have been treated, what products were used and when withdrawal periods have been met, which supports responsible medication use and informs decisions about animal care and marketing.

For operations using medicated feed or water, the digital tool also includes a template for tracking products on hand and documenting medicated ingredients added to feed or water. In addition, the Herbicide+Pesticide Use Record clearly documents products used on the operation, which is also required for VBP+ Certification.

Documenting Incidents and Movement Events

Documenting incidents such as broken needles and death/euthanasia is simplified with dedicated records for these events. These records support management decisions, tracking individual animal history and food safety at the farm level.

The Clearance Check Record is a checklist-based tool that can be used prior to shipping cattle for slaughter or transferring to another owner, operation or management group. It is included as a separate record in the digital workbook.

Additional Records to Support Decision-Making

Beyond VBP+ Certification requirements, additional records are included in the Digital Record-Keeping Tool to help producers monitor important activities. For example:

The Calving Record tab provides useful information for future breeding and reproductive decisions or managing individual calf care.
A Shipping SOP checklist and Transfer of Care Template can help document in more detail animal movements and responsibilities for animal care.
The Emergency Contact List tracks important operational information in one place.
The Visitor Log supports keeping your herd healthy when welcoming visitors.

Keep an Eye on the Big Picture with the Yearly Dashboard

The VBP+ Digital Record-Keeping Tool provides a snapshot of operational decisions in the Yearly Dashboard that updates with a simple refresh when new data is added to the workbook.

This tool provides an annual summary of individual and group treatments, broken-needle incidents, deaths/euthanasia, clearance-check shipping records, animal movements and the number of calves, simplifying inventory tracking and helping you identify trends or areas for improvement in your operation.

More Than a Certification Requirement

Keeping records is an important part of VBP+ Certification, but the value of good records extends well beyond this goal. Consistently recording information throughout the year can provide a benchmark for the operation, support informed management decisions and help identify successes and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Download the VBP+ Digital Record-Keeping Tool and explore other record-keeping resources available on VerifiedBeef.ca.

Beef Farm Tours: Keep Biosecurity on the Itinerary

Farm tours are a great way to learn from others, network, build relationships, showcase your operation and give visitors a close look at the beef industry. However, with more boots on the ground comes more opportunity for disease to move between animals and operations.

Whether you’re welcoming a school group, hosting industry professionals or visiting a neighbouring operation, a little planning can go a long way. Biosecurity starts before the tour begins and continues after the last visitor heads home.

Good biosecurity requires everyone’s participation. There are practical steps that tour hosts, cattle producers and farm visitors can take before, during and after a tour to help reduce biosecurity risks.

If You're Hosting a Farm Tour

Tour hosts play an important role in planning for biosecurity and communicating expectations with everyone involved.

Before the tour, consider the goals of the tour and activities planned, the level of animal contact and the risks associated with the visitors attending. For example, a tour that remains outside production areas presents different considerations than one involving direct animal contact. Additional considerations may be needed for international visitors.

Connect with the bus company, cattle producer and visitors to communicate where visitors will go, what activities are planned and what biosecurity practices they should expect. Communication templates for bus companies, cattle producers and visitors, along with information for international visitors, can help hosts prepare ahead of the tour.

The goal isn’t to stop people from visiting farms, it’s to plan the visit so everyone can enjoy the tour while minimizing unnecessary biosecurity risks.

During the tour, follow the planned biosecurity measures, including recommended boot-cover practices and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) based on the activities and level of animal contact.

After the tour, keep contact information for visitors, the bus driver and the producer so everyone can be contacted if a disease concern or outbreak is identified following the visit.

For more detailed requirements, tips and email templates for planning and managing a tour, see Resources and Recommendations for Tour Hosts.

If You're Welcoming Visitors to Your Farm

Beef cattle producers can help make a tour successful by working with the host to ensure visitor activities fit with the operation’s biosecurity practices.

Before the tour, work collaboratively with the tour host to develop a plan that meets your operation’s biosecurity requirements. Share important information with the host, such as any recent disease concerns or outbreaks that could affect the planned visit and identify areas that visitors should avoid.

During the tour, be available to guide visitors and help the host implement the planned biosecurity measures. Remind visitors of the operation’s protocols and, where appropriate, explain why they are important.

After the tour, be diligent with cleaning protocols and monitor the herd for changes in health status, particularly among animals that had contact with visitors. Ensure visitor information is accurately recorded and retained if needed.

If You're Visiting a Farm

Visitors also have an important role to play in protecting animal health and the industry. Following the producer’ and host’s expectations can help reduce the risk of carrying disease onto or between operations.

Before the tour, review all biosecurity information provided by the host and complete a farm visitor survey, if requested. Arrive wearing clean clothing and footwear that has not previously been worn around livestock or ensure clothing and footwear have been properly cleaned and disinfected.

During the tour, avoid unnecessary contact with livestock and follow instructions about where you can go and what you can touch. Leave any unnecessary items on the bus or in your vehicle and leave any out-of-country food at home. And, of course, ask questions and have fun!

After the tour, clean and disinfect clothing, footwear and equipment used on the tour. Monitor your personal health following the tour.

International farm visitors should take additional precautions, including avoiding livestock contact, declaring farm visits at border crossings and following the destination country’s quarantine requirements and entrance guidelines.

For more detailed requirements and recommendations for visitors, see Resources and Recommendations for Cattle Operation Visitors.

Biosecurity at Every Stop of the Farm Tour

A successful farm tour takes more than having a good itinerary. Considerations should be built in from planning until the last pair of boots is disinfected and put away.

Whether you’re hosting, welcoming visitors or attending a farm tour, keep biosecurity in mind before, during and after the tour.

Get the Full Picture

The full 27-page guide, Tours of Beef Cattle Operations Biosecurity Resources and Recommendations, provides more details for planning, managing and attending beef cattle operation tours.

Share these resources with everyone involved. Good biosecurity is a team effort, and planning can help make farm tours a positive experience for everyone while minimizing unnecessary risks.

What’s in the VBP+ Standards?

VBP+ certification is about demonstrating the good management practices in place on a beef cattle operation and having the knowledge and records to support them.

The VBP+ Standard outlines the knowledge, practices and records beef producers are expected to have in place to meet program requirements. For producers considering certification, understanding the Standard is a good place to start.

What Is the VBP+ Standard?

Think of the VBP+ Standard as a guidebook, setting out the knowledge, practices and records beef producers need to have on their operation to become certified.

VBP+ uses on-farm assessments to verify certified operations are meeting program standards. It is through these standards that auditors can confirm an operation is following the guidelines and meeting program requirements. On-farm assessments take place every five years, while interim record reviews and self-assessments provide producers with tools to stay on track and maintain ongoing compliance.

The goal isn’t simply to identify whether a practice is in place or a record exists. The assessment process can also identify areas where an operation is meeting expectations and where there are opportunities for improvement.

The VBP+ Standard covers 11 subject areas of beef production:

At first glance, that may seem like a long list. But the subject areas include expectations that align with many of the practices producers already include in running a successful and sustainable beef operation.

What Does the Standard Look Like on Farm?

The Standard gets more practical when you explore individual expectations.

For example, within the subject area Animal Care and Welfare, producers are expected to use handling methods that minimize stress through appropriate equipment, trained personnel, minimal physical contact and suitable footing and lighting.

This could mean assessing handling facilities, considering how cattle move through them and ensuring everyone working cattle understands and practices low-stress handling techniques.

Under Feeding Practices and Nutrition, one requirement is to provide feed in the proper quantity and quality to meet the cattle’s nutritional requirements.

On farm, this could include feed testing, feed planning and ensuring the specific class of cattle on your operation has access to what they need.

Similarly, environmental stewardship can also involve practical management decisions. Under Environmental Stewardship and Conservation, one criterion is having a water management plan in place to conserve, preserve and improve water sources on the operation.

This could include planned water testing and reducing access to wetlands to preserve riparian areas and natural water sources.

The VBP+ Standard also recognizes areas of farm management that extend beyond day-to-day operations. Included are subject areas that reflect the broader responsibilities and practices involved in beef farming and ranching.

Under Coaching and Mentoring, producers and farm workers are encouraged to engage in learning and training opportunities that match operational requirements and goals. On your operation, this may look like pesticide safety training for farm personnel or completing a record-keeping course.

Continuous learning is a core part of VBP+. A range of science-based resources, developed with support from the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC), are available to encourage adoption of beneficial management practices, continuous improvement and innovation across Canada’s beef industry.

These examples highlight an important part of the VBP+ Standard – there is often more than one way to meet the expectations. Certification isn’t about adopting one specific management system. Rather, the VBP+ Standard outlines expectations that can be met through science-based practices that fit your individual operation.

Certification Is a Starting Point, Not an End Point

Whether preparing for an assessment or simply looking for ways to strengthen on-farm practices, reviewing the VBP+ Standard is a useful starting point.

The VBP+ Standard webpage provides an overview of the expectations across subject areas along with links to additional resources.

For full details, the downloadable VBP+ Standards is a comprehensive reference for the program.

A Common Foundation

While recognizing producers may use different management approaches to meet the Standard’s expectations, VBP+ Certification includes foundational requirements that apply across operations.

Certified producers:

Have an active veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
Ensure all cattle are properly identified and health records are kept.
Maintain documentation for activities that impact food safety and quality.
Demonstrate knowledge and commitment to animal welfare.
Understand and implement environmental stewardship practices.

These foundational requirements provide the basis for the more specific practices and expectations outlined throughout the VBP+ Standard.

Trusted Calves: The Key to Marketing Cattle

When it comes to selling feeder cattle, price is important, but it is far from the only factor buyers consider. Health programs, genetics, delivery flexibility and reputation can all influence whether a set of calves catches a buyer’s attention.

For beef cattle producers, raising a good set of calves is only part of the equation. Clearly communicating what you have and why a buyer can trust those cattle are just as important.

That was a key message in the Simply Verified Beef podcast episode, “Trusted Calves,” with guests Ken Schaus, a VBP+ Certified feedlot producer from Ontario and managing partner of Schaus Land & Cattle, and Jason Danard, managing partner of The Electronic Auction Market (TEAM), a division of the Calgary Stockyards.

What Are Buyers Looking For?

Experienced buyers look beyond weight, colour and price. They want confidence in what they purchase, including a clear understanding of the cattle’s history and the management practices used before they arrive.

Health protocols, genetics and producer reputation all play a role. While larger groups can be attractive, bigger numbers aren’t necessarily the deciding factor. A smaller group with a strong reputation, good health program and predictable cattle may be more appealing than a larger group with fewer details communicated to the buyer.

One of the simplest ways producers can build that confidence is by providing buyers with clear, relevant information about their calves.

Danard shared that some listing forms have evolved over time to capture details buyers want to know, including:

Breeding and genetics
Vaccination and health protocols
Booster timing
Implant program
Feed program
Delivery dates and flexibility
Condition of the cattle
How cattle will be weighed
Expected sort (large or small)
Whether heifers are guaranteed open
Other relevant management details

The more relevant information buyers have, the better they can assess the cattle.

“For a lot of producers, they may be doing all the right things but missing the ability to communicate that to the other end,” Danard said.

A producer may have an excellent health program and well-managed cattle, but if those details aren’t included in the listing, the buyer may not know what sets the group apart. Simply stating that cattle are “vaccinated,” for example, doesn’t tell the whole story. Vaccine type, timing and booster information can give buyers a much clearer picture of the health program.

Choosing a Marketing Option

Beef producers have several options for marketing feeder calves, and each approach has advantages and disadvantages.

Traditional auction markets remain a good option for many producers. Electronic platforms can provide medium and larger groups with greater exposure, while direct sales can work well for producers with established buyer relationships. The potential downside to a direct sale, Danard noted, is limited exposure.

“I like a platform like TEAM for the exposure . . . it gives buyers access to cattle that they probably wouldn’t have access to otherwise,” Danard said. “The exposure goes both ways.”

For Schaus, electronic platforms have become an important part of how his Ontario operation sources cattle.

“On the buyers’ side, the electronic platforms are probably about 90% of the cattle we bring out of the west,” he said.

Electronic marketing can reduce the need for buyers to travel long distances, while giving producers access to a broader pool of potential buyers.

Timing and Exposure Matter

Getting cattle in front of buyers is only part of marketing. The time of year the cattle are offered and delivered can also affect the results.

Danard cautioned producers about delivering cattle during the busiest part of the fall run, particularly the last week of October and first week of November. Weather can affect trucking availability, auction markets are overwhelmed with volume, and feedlots and processors are swamped.

“If you can avoid those periods, especially if marketing on an electronic platform, that can be beneficial,” Danard said.

Production systems don’t always allow beef producers to choose their ideal delivery date. When cattle need to move during a busy period, planning and pricing well in advance and maintaining delivery flexibility can be advantageous.

Timing can be particularly important for smaller groups of calves. Producers who cannot put together a full load can still use an electronic platform but may have better success marketing when there is less volume competing for buyers’ attention.

VBP+ gives verified operations with cattle for sale the opportunity to reach buyers specifically looking for cattle from certified operations. Any VBP+ Certified operation with cattle to sell can submit a listing through the VBP+ sales form. Listings are then shared with a mailing list of buyers looking for cattle from certified operations.

Marketing is a shared effort. Producers can provide the information that builds confidence in their cattle, while marketing platforms, auction markets and programs like VBP+ can help get that story in front of the right buyers.

Be Present and Don’t Disappear After the Sale

The quality of the cattle isn’t the only consideration once they arrive at the feedlot. Schaus pointed to practical details that can make a difference in how easily cattle transition into the feedlot. Things like bunk training or exposure to water bowls may sound minor, but they can really help newly arrived cattle settle into their environment.

For cattle sold through live auction, being there when the cattle are selling can be worthwhile. A buyer may have a question, and having someone available to answer it can help prevent assumptions from being made.

The interaction with the buyer doesn’t have to end with the winning bid or agreed purchase price. Following up with the buyer to see how the calves are performing can provide valuable information, helping producers identify what worked well and where changes could be made. For example, if a buyer reports that cattle transitioned particularly well because of the vaccination program or handling practices, that information can reinforce the value of those practices. Likewise, if the buyer identifies an issue, the producer has an opportunity to learn from it.

That simple interaction between buyer and seller can help establish a relationship and build credibility for years to come.

Programs Like VBP+ Can Be Part of the Story

For producers considering how to differentiate their cattle, Danard encouraged them to look at programs such as VBP+ and consider how they can benefit their operation.

He acknowledged that certification programs come with a cost, but they can also offer advantages. Beef producers should consider the opportunities available and determine whether they fit their operations and marketing goals. Certification can demonstrate that an operation has documented management practices and is committed to beneficial production practices.

The Bottom Line

The strongest message from the “Trusted Calves” podcast discussion is that marketing cattle is about more than just hauling calves to the auction mart.

Buyers are looking for cattle they can have confidence in.

That confidence comes from predictable genetics, strong health programs, good stockmanship, practice documentation, clear communications, realistic delivery plans and a reputation built over time. That is what makes a trusted calf.

Beef Cattle Code of Practice Public Comment Period Passes Halfway Point—Share Your Feedback by June 12, 2026

May 27, 2026
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The public comment period for the Beef Code of Practice update is underway, and your input is highly valued.

The Beef Code sets the national on-farm standard of care for beef cattle in Canada and has been around since 1981.  You are encouraged to submit comments before the June 12 deadline to help ensure strong producer input in shaping the direction of on-farm animal welfare in our sector for the next decade.  

What’s New in the Draft Beef Code?

Some of the updates include:

Enhanced requirements to provide pain control for painful procedures (e.g., castrating, disbudding, dehorning, branding) for all ages of cattle and a requirement to provide pain control for assisted difficult calvings for both cow and calf.   
New requirements to monitor cattle more frequently during heat waves or high humidity and during adverse cold weather to promptly assist cattle not coping, and to provide shelter (natural or man-made) from high winds during cold weather.  
New sections on mud and moisture and non-ambulatory cattle, plus an expanded section on weaning.

The Canadian Cattle Association has prepared a high-level summary of the draft Beef Code. This summary is intended to highlight key areas of change and support initial review; however, it is not exhaustive. Producers are encouraged to review the full draft Code and provide comments.

Draft Beef Code – English | French
Producer Summary of Draft Beef Code Content – English | French

Considerations for Providing Feedback on the Beef Code

Here are some sample questions to guide your feedback as you review the Code: 

Are the standards workable on your operation? 
How does the Code apply across different production systems? 
Are there areas that may need clarification or adjustment? 
What is working well and should remain unchanged?

Visit the Canadian Cattle Association website to explore frequently asked questions, access additional resources and request a recording of the Public Comment Period webinar for producers.

Hidden in Plain Sight: Preventing Foreign Material in Cattle Hides and Meat

May 7, 2026
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Even the smallest things can cause real trouble for cattle on your operation. A single piece of metal or a stray shotgun pellet can go unnoticed in cattle during production, only to be discovered at processing. Even clean pastures and well-maintained handling facilities can contain hidden hazards that are not immediately visible.

Cattle are naturally curious and interact closely with their environment. Because of this, rubbing, pushing and exploring their surroundings increases risk for foreign materials such as hard plastic or metal to become embedded in hides or tissue.

Other risks come from beyond the farm gate. Cattle grazing pastures or woodland areas may be exposed to stray birdshot or buckshot from nearby hunting activity.

Once these foreign objects are embedded, they can compromise animal welfare, reduce carcass value and raise food safety concerns, creating costly challenges for Canadian beef producers and processors alike.

Common Sources of Foreign Materials in Cattle Hides

Foreign objects that can penetrate cattle hides may originate from a range of on-farm and environmental sources:

Equipment and debris: Machinery, worn or damaged oilers, scratchers and scrap metal.
Facilities: Poorly maintained or collapsing structures and handling systems or fences with sharp edges or loose parts.
Hunting-related exposure: Cattle grazing on shared or accessible land may be exposed to stray shotgun pellets or other types of shrapnel.

Buckshot is the most common foreign material found in beef carcasses.

Why Does Foreign Material Contamination Matter?

Foreign material contamination has implications across the entire beef value chain:

Animal welfare: Embedded objects can cause pain, infection, stress and decreased production.
Food safety: Metal or plastic fragments in meat pose a risk to consumers.
Economic impact: Contamination can lead to trim loss, carcass downgrading or rejection, reducing carcass value and impacting both producers and processors. In some cases, carcasses may require additional inspection or even partial or full condemnation.

These outcomes increase production and processing time and costs. Preventing these risks at the farm level is essential to maintaining consumer confidence in high-quality beef products.

What Can Beef Producers Do To Reduce Foreign Material Hazards?

Farmers and ranchers play a critical role in reducing the risk of foreign material contamination in hides and meat:

Maintain facilities and equipment: Regularly inspect and repair equipment to prevent breakage and loose fragments.
Remove hazards: Clear scrap metal and outdated or unnecessary equipment from pastures and pens.
Restrict access: Proper fencing and enclosures can help limit cattle access to unsafe areas, including neglected structures or high-risk environments.
Regular health checks: Routinely inspect cattle and facilities for signs of injury or emerging risks.
Manage hunting-related risks: Use secure fencing to limit access, post signage to alert hunters of the presence of livestock and communicate with neighbours and local hunters to reduce accidental exposure.
Practice firearm and air gun safety: Ensure only trained and licensed individuals handle firearms. Store firearms and ammunition securely in a locked cabinet or safe with restricted access.
Avoid discharging firearms near cattle unless absolutely necessary (e.g., emergency euthanasia), and consider the full zone of fire as bullets or pellets can travel beyond the intended target.

Need signs for hunting season?

Signs are available for purchase from the Verified Beef Production Plus Store.

What Can Beef Packers Do?

Packers play a critical role in maintaining beef safety and product integrity. They do this by carefully inspecting carcasses for any signs of foreign material and pellet damage.

When suspected cases are identified, they can be reported through the Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) program using the Foreign Object in Carcass Reporting Form. It is also important to document each incident thoroughly so that appropriate corrective actions can be taken.

In addition, packers can report and resolve all suspected cases in accordance with internal Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points plans, supporting a consistent, science-based approach to food safety and continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Key Takeaway

Foreign material contamination in cattle hides and meat is a risk that requires attention at all stages of beef production. While the impacts aren’t always visible on the farm, they can surface later, affecting carcass value, processing efficiency and market outcomes.

By maintaining safe environments, routinely inspecting facilities and managing external risks such as hunting activity, producers can help reduce the likelihood of foreign material in cattle. Proactive management not only supports animal welfare, but also helps protect product quality, minimize economic losses and maintain confidence in Canadian beef.

From a Piece of Wire to Contaminated Feed: Preventing Foreign Material Hazards in Beef Cattle Operations

Foreign material and toxin consumption by beef cattle can lead to significant health problems, reduced performance and economic losses. Canadian cattle producers take great pride and care in how they manage their farms and ranches, from providing proper nutrition to stewarding their land and ensuring excellent animal care. Yet even with the best intentions, foreign materials and toxins can quietly find their way into feed, water or pastures. Understanding where they come from and how to prevent exposure is a key part of protecting your herd.

Foreign materials and toxins often slip in through everyday farm activities such as repairing fences, running equipment, feeding hay or dealing with weather-stressed crops. A small piece of wire, leftover net wrap or contaminated feed source might not seem like much, but if consumed by cattle, it can trigger health issues, lost performance or even death.

Understanding Hardware Disease

When cattle consume sharp metal objects like nails or pieces of wire, those items can settle in the reticulum and irritate or puncture the stomach lining. In the worst cases, these foreign objects can migrate and damage the heart, causing severe illness or death. This condition is known as hardware disease (or bovine traumatic reticuloperitonitis), and it can be both dangerous and costly.

Signs of hardware disease include:

Depression or dullness
General discomfort (e.g., teeth grinding, grunting)
Arched back
Off feed
Brisket swelling
Loss of body condition

Common sources of metal pieces include cables on fences or feed bunks, fragments from feed processing equipment and scrap materials left on the ground. Prevention goes a long way and there are several preventative practices that can be implemented, including:

Using magnets or scalpers to remove possible debris from feed
Covering metal cables with plastic sleeves
Avoiding materials that deteriorate over time
Regular equipment and facility maintenance
Keeping yards and feeding areas clean

Twine and Net Wrap: A Preventable Risk

Twine and net wrap are among the most common foreign materials consumed by cattle and are some of the easiest problems to avoid. These materials are indigestible and can build up in the rumen leading to blockages and digestive tract injury.

Signs of twine or net wrap consumption include:

Weight loss
Abdominal pain
Poor coat condition
Lethargy
Diarrhea
Bloating
Straining to defecate

Prevention is Key

Once consumed, there is no easy fix. Taking a few extra minutes to remove and properly dispose of twine and net wrap before feeding, perform regular maintenance of equipment and facilities and inspect feeding areas for foreign materials can save a lot of trouble down the road.

Toxins That Put Cattle at Risk

Toxins can be difficult to spot, but their impact can be serious. Exposure can lead to reduced feed intake and poor performance or, in some cases, sudden illness or death.

Some of the most common toxins beef cattle may be exposed to include:

Mycotoxins from contaminated or mouldy feed
Botulism from decaying carcasses, spoiled silage or poorly preserved hay
Nitrates from weather-stressed plants or excess nitrogen fertilization
Prussic acid from plants such as sorghum, Sudan grass, Johnson grass, chokecherry and treated canola seed (risk increases during drought or frost stress)
Toxic plants including hemlock, poison hemlock, death camus, lupine, red maple, oak, locoweed, monkshood, tansy, ragwort, common tansy, henbane, stinkweed and tall larkspur
Lead from improperly disposed batteries, contaminated water sources, lead pipes or lead based paints

Preventing Exposure to Toxins

Preventing toxin exposure involves awareness, monitoring and good management practices:

Test when in doubt: Test feed and water sources suspected of contamination or considered high risk (e.g., grain screenings, distillers’ grains).
Watch the weather: Moisture levels during growth and harvest affect mycotoxin risk. For example, cool, moist conditions during flowering favour ergot growth, while warm, moist conditions favour fusarium development.
Proper feed storage: Keep feed dry and well ventilated to prevent mould growth and spoilage.
Vaccination: Vaccination programs can help protect against certain toxins, such as botulism or clostridial diseases.
Expert guidance: Work with your nutritionist and veterinarian to design balanced diets and monitor toxin exposure. If exposure is suspected, contact your veterinarian to confirm and document the toxin exposure.
Management practices: Rotate pastures, avoid overgrazing and inspect fields regularly, especially after frost or drought, to minimize exposure to toxic plants and mouldy feed. Routinely check pastures for lead sources such as discarded batteries.
Education and awareness: Stay informed through extension programs, industry groups, agronomists and other farm advisors. Consider implementing a preventive control plan to identify hazards and reduce risks.

A few proactive steps can prevent cattle from accessing foreign materials and toxins, which is essential for maintaining herd health, protecting performance and avoiding preventable losses. Taking the time to walk pastures and feeding areas and regularly inspecting cattle, facilities, feed and water sources can help catch problems early.

Welcoming Visitors: Show Off Your Herd Safely

Welcoming visitors onto your beef operation for tours, sales or informal stock viewings is a great way to connect and tell your story, but it also opens the door to a serious risk: disease. Every visit—whether from neighbours, tourists or family—carries the potential to introduce or spread disease to or from your operation.

Good biosecurity practices help manage these risks while also reducing the probability of disease at the herd, national and even international levels. It’s important to understand why biosecurity matters during tours, as well as what actions should be in place before, during and after tours to minimize risk.

Why Biosecurity Matters During Tours

Biosecurity planning and precautions should be implemented during tours to limit the potential spread of disease to your livestock. This not only helps protect against significant reportable and trade-limiting diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, but also helps reduce the spread of endemic diseases, such as bovine viral diarrhea (BVD).

Hosting tours introduces various pathways for disease entry—through people, vehicles, animals and equipment. Visitors may include individuals who have had recent livestock contact or those unaware of farm biosecurity.

Keeping visitors safe is also important. Zoonotic pathogens can cause disease in both humans and animals; familiar examples include E. coli and ringworm.

Reportable diseases: diseases of significant importance to human or animal health, or to the Canadian economy. Not generally present in the industry. All suspected cases must be immediately reported by law to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for investigation by inspectors.

Endemic diseases: diseases that are already present in the industry and may occur on an ongoing basis.

Zoonotic diseases: diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. They may be endemic or reportable.

^{Source: Government of Canada}

Before the Tour

Planning is key to a successful and safe farm tour. Before welcoming guests, take time to assess potential risks and put actionable measures in place to reduce them. Consider the following pre-tour planning steps:

1. Assess the risk level.

Consider the type and age of livestock currently on your operation. Stressed or young cattle are typically at higher risk than older animals. For example, have you recently received a load of freshly weaned, high-risk calves?
Think about where people are visiting from. Have visitors had livestock contact at more than one operation? Have they handled sick livestock in the past 14 days (high risk), or have they had no contact with livestock in the past 14 days (low risk)?
For international visitors, ask if they have had livestock contact within the past 14 days to prevent the introduction of reportable diseases, as recommended by the CFIA.
Identify the high-risk areas on your farm, such as calving barns, feed storage areas or sick pens.
Determine the goal of the tour. Does it require contacting livestock (high risk), or will visitors stay in a vehicle during the tour (low risk)?

2. Set boundaries and routes.

Plan a specific meeting area and designate parking locations away from livestock pens, feed or water sources to prevent contamination.
Plan a designated tour route. Aim to go from the youngest and most susceptible animals to the older animals.
Avoid high-risk zones and animal handling such as calving barns or sick pens when possible.
Post simple, clear signage such as “Stop—Biosecure Area” or “Clean Area Only” to help visitors understand and respect restricted zones. Signs can be printed in-house or purchased through farm supply outlets, provincial cattle associations or the Verified Beef Production Plus webstore.

3. Prepare personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning and disinfectant supplies.

Ensure disposable boot covers or a footwear washing station are ready for visitors.
Choose durable waterproof boot covers that won’t tear easily in pens or muddy areas.
Provide handwashing or sanitizing stations at entry and exit points.

4. Communicate expectations before arrival.

Ensure visitors know what is expected and what is required (e.g., clean clothing and footwear).
Provide visitors with meeting and parking information ahead of arrival. When possible, provide a map or other detailed directions.
Provide simple explanations about why these steps matter and what biosecurity on your farm looks like.

During the Tour

Farms and ranches may implement a standard biosecurity protocol. A good starting point for this plan includes:

Keep a visitor log with names, dates and contact information of visitors.
Sanitize or wash hands upon arrival.
Direct guests to follow the planned route and respect restricted areas.
Provide boot covers for all participants.
If footwear washing is used instead of disposable covers, ensure brushes, disinfectants and clean water are available.

French Version (PDF)

Best Practices for Boot Washing

Rinse and dry footwear.
Apply disinfectant solution according to label directions and contact time.
Allow footwear to dry before entering clean areas.
Remind guests not to touch livestock, feed or water troughs and to avoid direct contact with manure or bedding.
Have staff or volunteers positioned to help monitor compliance and answer questions—this also keeps the tour engaging and controlled.

Click to download one-page boot disinfection guide.

French Version (PDF)

After the Tour

Have visitors sanitize or wash their hands before departing.
Disinfect any high-risk or heavily trafficked areas after the tour. There are many effective disinfectants available. Consult with your veterinarian for guidance on which product is right for your situation.
Safely dispose of used boot covers and cleaning materials.
Keep your visitor log for at least 12 months.
Perform health checks on animal groups that may have had contact with tour visitors, and contact your veterinarian with any concerns.
Review what worked well and where improvements could be made for future tours.

Farm biosecurity doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple and proactive steps can go a long way towards protecting your beef herd, your livelihood and the broader livestock industry. By planning ahead, setting clear expectations and keeping records, you can confidently welcome visitors while ensuring your tour is safe and enjoyable for everyone.

LEARN MORE:

Farm Tour Biosecurity Guides (BCRC resources)
Foot and Mouth Disease Travel Guidelines for Beef Cattle Producers (BCRC checklist)
Biosecurity for Beef Producers (BCRC topic webpage)
Getting Ready for Branding (VBP+ article)
The Ins and Outs of Bull Sale and Calving Season (VBP+ article)

Information at Your Fingertips: Summary Reports and More on the VBP+ Producer Portal

Did you know?

Recent updates to the Producer Portal give VBP+ Certified beef producers access to assessment summary reports! In addition to completing renewal assessments on the portal, producers can access these summary reports, their certificate and any outstanding corrective actions. Useful sample records for corrective action resolution can also be downloaded directly from the portal.

Producers who wish to apply for incentives linked to both VBP+ and CRSB certifications will be able to access certificates with a single click.

Until now, assessment summary reports and other documents have been sent to certified beef producers by email, so this update will allow greater flexibility in accessing vital VBP+ documentation, including current VBP+ Certification and active CRSB Certification.

Resolving corrective actions just got easier!

While communicating an outstanding corrective action request (CAR) has also been completed through email, phone or fax to date, upgrades to the portal include a CAR resolution. This feature provides downloadable sample records intended to reduce extra steps for beef producers working to resolve gaps identified during the on-farm assessment.

What can beef producers expect from the summary report?

When operations complete a VBP+ on-farm or renewal assessment, they receive an email with a Summary Assessment Report. The Summary Assessment Report outlines the results of the assessment, the assessor’s summary comments and any corrective action requests.

The Summary Assessment Report outlines results of the assessment, the assessor’s summary comments and any corrective action requests.

As VBP+ delivers two certifications with a single assessment: the VBP+ Certification and certification to the Sustainable Beef Production Standard maintained by the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB). Beef producers will now receive separate reports for each of these certifications.

The VBP+ Summary Report

The VBP+ Summary Report includes the following information:

The operation name
The VBP+ Inc. assessor name
The date of the assessment
Assessment scores determined based on 60 questions from the assessment pillars
The assessor’s summary comments
Corrective action requests from the assessment with deadlines for resolution
Date and scope of the next assessment (records assessment or self-declaration)
Other resources including provincial coordinator contact information, assessment experience survey and an appeals and complaints process

VBP+ Assessment Pillars

Animal Health
Animal Care
Animal Nutrition
Biosecurity
Emergency Response and Preparedness
Environmental Stewardship and Conservation
Transportation
Vulnerable, Distressed and High-Risk Cattle
Critical Control Points
Medicated Feeds
Leadership and Community
Coaching and Mentoring

In this example of scoring in one of the 12 pillars, 71% of the questions related to animal health were scored a two and 29% were scored a three. For more information on questions and scoring criteria, consult the VBP+ Producer Manuals.

The CRSB Summary Report

The CRSB Summary Report reflects how an operation scores against the Sustainable Beef Production Standard maintained by the CRSB.

Additional Resources

Contact your provincial coordinator with any questions you may have or email auditcoordinator@verifiedbeef.ca.
Learn more about the Producer Portal or login to the Producer Portal.

How To Prepare for an On-Farm Assessment: VBP+ Pre-Certification Resources for Canadian Beef Producers

Are you a Canadian beef producer working toward VBP+ Certification for the first time or preparing for a renewal assessment?

VBP+ wants to ensure you feel ready and have resources at your fingertips so your on-farm assessment can be completed more efficiently, in less time and with greater ease.

Start Here!

If you are considering certification, training is the place to start. VBP+ training explains the VBP+ Standard criteria and examines the records needed for an on-farm assessment.

Pre-Certification Consultation

Producers who participate in a pre-certification consultation with a VBP+ Coordinator or watch a pre-certification webinar prior to an on-farm assessment are consistently better prepared.

The pre-certification webinar includes valuable tips to ensure the on-farm assessment process is clear and simple. Watch the recording for key information:
•   How to get ready for an on-farm assessment
•   What to expect before the assessor visits your operation
•   Where will the assessor want to visit on your farm
•   Incentives available with your certification
•   CRSB Certification details
• Q&A for unique operational systems and processes

What To Expect During an On-Farm Assessment

Let’s talk: On-farm assessments are designed to feel like a conversation between you and the assessor. VBP+ assessors are producers themselves and are experienced with cattle production in Canada.

Take a tour: During the farm walk-through, you can plan to show the assessor a variety of areas on your farm such as cattle, calving grounds, water sources, feeding areas, handling facilities, feed storage, pastures, medicated feed storage and equipment, minerals and supplements, non-ruminant feeds, chemical storage, lagoons or septic systems, animal health product storage and delivery equipment. What can’t be covered during the tour (due to remote location or weather) can be explained verbally.

Show off your records: Your on-farm assessment will also include a discussion about critical records. Some certification criteria can be met through verbal descriptions, while others require that you show physical records in the way that works best for you. There is no mandatory record-keeping format, however VBP+ offers a selection of record-keeping templates if you choose to use them. At the completion of the assessment, the assessor will discuss any actions that may need to be taken on your operation to meet specific criteria and work with you to create a plan for corrections if needed.

What Will Be Assessed on My Operation?

To become VBP+ Certified, various criteria are assessed on-farm, providing a holistic view of production practices on the operation.

Animal Health: Examines how animal health products are used on your operation and how cattle health is managed. Criteria are based on the beef industry Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan to reduce risks of negative outcomes for cattle health or food safety.

Animal Nutrition: Assesses your operation’s process for ensuring cattle have adequate quantities and quality of feed and water. These criteria include how cattle condition is monitored, how medicated feed is managed and how contamination risks are avoided on the operation.

Animal Care: Examines your processes for cattle handling and shelter, management of painful procedures and animal stress as well as how cattle are regularly monitored on your operation. The requirements for this section are informed by the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle.

Vulnerable, Distressed and High-Risk Cattle: Criteria assess how cattle with a poor prognosis are managed on your operation. Specifically, this section covers euthanasia decision making, euthanasia processes and how operations manage deadstock.

Transportation: Examines practices when transporting cattle, including pre-transport checks to ensure cattle are free of withdrawals and physical hazards and are fit for transport, as well as demonstrating an understanding of transport regulations for compromised or unfit cattle and transfer of care documentation for cattle transferred to a new owner.

Biosecurity: Assesses on-farm practices to minimize the risks of disease spreading onto, off and within your operation, including management of animal movements, visitors, tools and equipment. This section also examines how operations work with their veterinarian to prevent and manage disease. This section is informed by the Canadian Beef Cattle Biosecurity Standard.

Environmental Stewardship: Examines how you work to reduce your operation’s impact on the environment, including management of water, air quality, soil nutrients and land resources. This section also examines processes for wildlife management and chemical inputs, as well as practices to prevent foreign objects from penetrating cattle hides on the operation.

Emergency Response and Preparedness: Evaluates your plans to manage disasters or emergencies on your operation. This section is intended to encourage producers to think about how to respond to an emergency before it happens, thereby minimizing damage and stress if an incident were to occur.

Training and Mentoring: Addresses the management of human resources on your operation. Even family operations without hired staff benefit from a plan to ensure a safe work environment and growth opportunities for people working on the farm.

Community and Leadership: Assesses how your operation interacts with the broader community and integrates new technologies and innovations. Innovation and community involvement can mean different things in different operations, so this standard is not meant to be prescriptive, but rather to recognize the efforts beef producers are making as leaders in their communities, the values of their operation and their efforts towards production efficiency.

How Do I Score?

Criteria are assessed with a scoring system from 0 to 3, reflecting the depth of implementation for a particular practice or process on the operation. The scoring system is generally based on the following continuum:

0 – No awareness or knowledge of the criteria

1 – Knowledge and verbal description of how your operation meets the criteria

2 – Records to prove implementation of the criteria along with a verbal description of the process

3 – Written protocol of process and records to prove implementation

Some criteria, called Critical Control Points (CCP), are criteria which require records. These criteria are mostly on-farm food safety criteria and are used to prove a commitment to producing safe and quality beef. CCPs are required criteria. A minimum score of two is required for these criteria. All other criteria are standard criteria. A minimum score of one is required for these criteria.

What Do I Have To Do for Renewal Assessments?

To maintain the rigor of the five-year assessment cycle, VBP+ performs an assessment of your operation every year. The cycle begins in year one with the on-farm assessment. Then, in years two through five of the assessment cycle, simple records assessments and self-declarations replace the on-farm assessment.

VBP+ is here to help!

VBP+ is committed to helping beef producers feel confident and prepared for their on-farm assessment. For more resources, producers are encouraged to contact their VBP+ provincial coordinator for more information or to explore these related resources:

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