Codes Of Practice
Current
- Beef Cattle
- Bison
- Chickens, Turkeys and Breeders
- Dairy Cattle
- Equine
- Farmed Deer
- Farmed Fox
- Farmed Mink
- Farmed Salmonids
- Goats
- Pigs
- Pullets and Laying Hens
- Rabbits
- Sheep
- Transportation
- Veal Cattle
Under Revision
Code Development Process
Dairy Cattle
The updated Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle was released March 30, 2023. As is stated in the Code’s preface, it comes into effect April 1, 2024 (unless indicated otherwise in Requirements with a later phase-in date). During this 1-year general coming-into-effect period, the 2009 dairy cattle Code continues to apply and is available here. |
There are various ways to view the updated Code (that comes into effect April 1, 2024):
There are a limited number of hard copies of this Code. NFACC encourages use of the electronic version and does not store hard copies. Provincial industry associations or ministries may have copies available.
Resources:
- Developing the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle - What We Heard and How We Addressed It - March 2023
- Scientific Committee report – Review of scientific research on priority issues – December 2020
- Perinatal mortality: A summary of current literature prepared for the dairy cattle Code Development Committee – February 2021
- Public Comment Period Quantitative Analysis Summary
- Dairy Cattle Survey Results
- Animal Welfare Research Needs
- Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
- Care of Neonatal Calves on Dairy Farms – Position Statement
- Castration of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats – Position Statement
- Horn Management of Cattle – Position Statement
- Tail Docking of Dairy Cattle – Position Statement
- Welfare of Cull Dairy Cows – Position Statement
Table of Contents
Updated Dairy Cattle Code (in effect as of April 1, 2024)
Appendices: | ||
Appendix A | - Sample Cattle Welfare Policy | |
Appendix B | - Body Condition Scoring Chart | |
Appendix C | - Cow Cleanliness Scoring | |
Appendix D | - Calf Health Scoring Chart and Criteria | |
Appendix E | - Lameness Scoring Systems for Dairy Cows | |
Appendix F | - Transport Decision Tree | |
Appendix G | - Sample Euthanasia Decision Tree | |
Appendix H | - Anatomical Landmarks for Euthanasia | |
Appendix I | - Secondary Steps to Cause Death | |
Appendix J | - Resources for Further Information | |
Appendix K | - Participants | |
Appendix L | - Summary of Code Requirements |
DAIRY CATTLE CODE (version that is in effect until March 31, 2024)

The 2009 Code can be viewed as a PDF version (1.3 MB).
There are no available hard copies of this Code.
Resources
- Scientific Committee report – Review of scientific research on priority issues – March 2009