Animal Care Panel Comments on Undercover Video from Two Alberta Egg Farms

Oct 23, 2013

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

A panel of farm animal care experts have provided their observations in a report after viewing an undercover video at two alleged Alberta farms. The panel was asked by the Centre of Food Integrity to examine the video shown on CTV News W5 report which was released by animal rights group Mercy for Animals Canada.

Experts concluded that the video shows unethical and irresponsible treatment of farm animals. The panel also said it was difficult to reach conclusions based on the edited footage which was presented. The expert panel was comprised of Dr. Candace Croney, Purdue University; Dr. Ed Pajor, University of Calgary; and Dr. Stewart Ritchie, a British Columbia veterinarian and poultry consultant.

The footage showed disturbing images of chickens being handled unethically by workers and the practice of thumping as a form of euthanasia. The experts said they’ve never seen thumping as an accepted industry practice for euthanasia. “I disagreed with everything I saw in the video.” said Dr. Ritchie. “But I would have liked to have seen more than the short video clips so I could more clearly understand if the scenes they chose to show truly represented the way this farm was being managed.”

The full report can be accessed by clicking here.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.