Ontario’s Dr. Trevor DeVries named 2021 Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award winner

Ontario, Fri, 10/01/2021 - 12:20

Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the welfare of animals in Canada

September 29, 2021 – Dr. Trevor DeVries of Guelph, Ontario has been named the recipient of the 2021 Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award for his profound and lasting impact on the well-being of dairy cattle in Canada and around the world. The award recognizes his accomplishments as a researcher, scholar, educator and mentor, as well as his unwavering commitment to advancing animal welfare in the dairy industry.

The Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award is presented annually by the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) / Association Canadienne des Vétérinaires Bovins (ACVB) in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc. Dr. DeVries was announced as the award winner at the Annual General Meeting of the CABV, which was held virtually on Sept. 29. He will be formally honoured at a future conference of the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners.

"The CABV/ACVB is pleased to announce Dr. Trevor DeVries as the recipient of the 2021 Metacam Bovine Welfare Award,” said Dr. Anne Rogers, President of the CABV/ACVB. "Dr. DeVries has made exceptional contributions to the welfare of dairy cattle through his accomplishments in research and in teaching, and also through his dedication to extension education. We extend our congratulations to Dr. DeVries."

Dr. DeVries is a professor and the Canada Research Chair in Dairy Cattle Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Guelph, Department of Animal Biosciences. In addition to his research responsibilities, Dr. DeVries teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of dairy cattle management, behaviour and welfare. He also coaches the university Dairy Challenge team and mentors graduate and undergraduate students. Dr. Vries also works tirelessly to share his knowledge and expertise with others in the industry.

"I am honoured to be the recipient of the Metacam Bovine Welfare Award,” Dr. DeVries said. “My group’s work in advancement of dairy cattle welfare through research and outreach is primarily attributable to the hard work of my students, the support of industry, and the many collaborators I have both within and outside of the University of Guelph.”

Dr. DeVries is recognized by his peers for improving bovine welfare through his world-leading research, extensive publication in peer-reviewed journals, commitment to teaching and mentorship, and his excellent record of achievement.

In support of the award nomination, Dr. Daniel Weary from the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, highlighted Dr. Devries’ exceptionally strong track record as a scholar, mentor and communicator.

“He is one of the world’s leading experts in cattle welfare, having published extensively on the care and management of dairy cows and calves,” Dr. Weary said. “More specifically, he is the foremost expert on feeding behaviour in cattle. His research record is perhaps most notable for the depth of the work (especially on feeding behaviour) and the impact on the dairy industry.”

Dr. Weary also spoke of Dr. Devries’ dedication sharing his knowledge and expertise with others in the industry.

“I know of no other researcher who has dedicated so much of his time to speaking with farm groups and other industry professionals who are the users of research relevant to the care of dairy cattle,” said. Dr. Weary. “The linkages also illustrate his impact as a scholar, and the trust and respect with which he is held within the industry.”

Derek Groff, Business Unit Director (Livestock) with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada, explained the Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award recognizes and encourages those who research and practice animal welfare and well-being.

“Congratulations to Dr. DeVries on his remarkable contributions to improving bovine welfare in Canada and around the world,” Groff said. “His research and work on precision agriculture help identify cattle in need of specialized management or early treatment, which greatly contribute to improved animal health and welfare. We are proud to present him with the 2021 Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award.”

Groff thanked the CABV/ACVB for its work to seek nominations and select the recipient of the award.

About CABV/ACVB
The Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) / Association Canadienne des Vétérinaires Bovins (ACVB) represents approximately 800 veterinarians from across Canada who have a specific interest in bovine health and production medicine. The Board is composed of thirteen members who are also representatives on the Boards of Canada’s four regional bovine associations: Atlantic Bovine Practitioners Association (ABPA), l'Association des Médecins Vétérinaires Praticiens du Québec (AMVPQ), Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP) and the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP).

About Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Approximately 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 600 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. Across the globe, our 9,700 employees are dedicated to delivering value through innovation, thus enhancing the well-being of both.

Respect for animals, humans and the environment is at the heart of what we do. We develop solutions and provide services to protect animals from disease and pain. We support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals and protect our communities against life- and society-threatening diseases.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is the second largest animal health business in the world, with net sales of 4.1 billion euros in 2020 and presence in more than 150 countries.

For more information visit: http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health/overview

About the Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award
The Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award is given annually to a DVM or animal scientist working in Canada, a faculty member or a graduate student of a Canadian university to recognize his/her achievements in advancing the welfare of animals via leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy. By doing so, the CABV/ACVB hopes to raise public awareness of the important role veterinarians and animal scientists play in: