University of Guelph's Dr. Charlotte Winder named 2023 Metacam 20 Bovine Welfare Award Winner

Award recognizes outstanding contributions to advancing animal welfare in Canada

September 21, 2023 - Dr. Charlotte Winder of the University of Guelph in Ontario has been named the recipient of the 2023 Metacam 20 Bovine Welfare Award for her unwavering commitment to cattle health and welfare, and for her significant contributions to improving the well-being of dairy cattle.

The Metacam 20 Bovine Welfare Award is presented annually by the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV)/Association Canadienne des Veterinaires Bovins (ACVB) in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc. Dr. Winder was announced as the award winner at the Annual General Meeting of the CABV/ACVB in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sept 21, 2023.

"The CABV/ACVB extends its congratulations to Dr. Charlotte Winder, " said Dr. Ray Reynen, President of the CABV/ACVB. "Charlotte's passion for animal welfare, that is so well reflected in her research and in all of her professional activities, has been a great benefit to cattle and to those who work with cattle."

Dr. Winder is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Her research focuses on improving the heath and performance of ruminant species, primarily dairy cattle and small ruminants. Research areas include pain management in ruminants, health management and performance of youngstock, knowledge translation and transfer, and knowledge synthesis. Dr. Winder is a clinician within the ruminant ambulatory practice and teaches in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

"I'm honoured to be the recipient of the 2023 Metacam 20 Bovine Welfare Award," Dr. Winder said. "My work in bovine welfare research has only been possible with substantial contributions from graduate students, academic colleagues and collaborators, producers, and veterinarians, as well as support from industry. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work in this area, and for the recognition of the importance of bovine welfare by the CABV and Boehringer Ingelheim."

In her support of the award nomination, Dr. Kelly Barratt, Global Director Animal Welfare at Saputo, said Dr. Winder's experience in practice allows her to translate her research findings into practical recommendations.

"Her ability to translate her extensive knowledge into everyday applications that benefit both cattle and farmers is truly remarkable," Dr. Barratt said.

Also in support of the nomination, Ann Godkin, DVM, DVSc, Ceptor Cattle Health and Education Programs, spoke of how Dr. winder's research into pain management and exploration of different teaching methods contributed to widespread adoption of good pain management practices and the use of better technical protocols for dairy and beef calves.

"This has been a great example of a strong educational effort using research outcomes to shift veterinary and producer's attitudes towards pain relief in a positive direction resulting in greatly improved cattle welfare," she said.

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 work to advance animal welfare and well-being.

"As a bovine practitioner, cattle researcher and faculty member at the Ontario Veterinary College, Dr. Winder has made significant contributions to the advancement of bovine welfare in Canada and abroad," Groff said. "We congratulate Dr. Winder for her accomplishments and express our gratitude for her incredible passion towards animal welfare that has resulted in tremendous benefits to the cattle industry."

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 Veterinaires 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 Medecins Veterinaires Practiciens du Quebec (AMVPQ), Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP) and the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP).

 Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.

Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. 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, sustainable perspective. More 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units, Human Pharma and Animal Health. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 500 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/ca.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock. As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both. For more information visit: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health

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:

• Improving bovine welfare in cattle production and research systems
• Improving scientific methods of measuring bovine welfare

Media contacts:
Phyllis Mierau Administrator CABV/ACVB
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: (306) 956-3543
Merry Garbutt
Corporate Communications Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: (905) 631-4531

Nominate a veterinarian to receive the Boehringer Ingelheim 2024 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award in recognition of his/her outstanding contributions in the field of bovine medicine in Western Canada.

Download (PDF) Nomination Form here

WCABP /Metacam® 20 Bovine Welfare Award... List of past recipients:

This year’s recipient of the Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year award is Dr. Calvin Booker of Okotoks, AB.

Dr. Calvin Booker of Okotoks, Alberta is the recipient of the 2023 Veterinarian of the Year Award presented by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP) and Boehringer Ingelheim Canada. He is recognized for his significant impact on feedlot veterinary medicine, groundbreaking research as an epidemiologist and several innovations that have transformed the cattle industry.

The Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award honours a veterinarian for being a leader in advancing bovine health, and for demonstrating a strong commitment to veterinary practice, the cattle industry and the veterinary profession, specifically in Western Canada. Dr. Booker was announced as the winner at the WCABP annual conference in Saskatoon on Jan. 20, 2023.

“On behalf of the WCABP, I congratulate Dr. Calvin Booker on being honoured as the 2023 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year,” said Dr. Tim Nickel, President, WCABP.  “Dr. Booker’s contributions to feedlot medicine and the cattle industry, as a whole, are immeasurable.

“He not only has transformed the industry with many science-based innovations, but he also provided leadership by serving on many boards and committees including as president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. He is a very deserving recipient of the WCABP Veterinarian of the Year.”

Dr. Booker is the General Manager, Services and Research with Feedlot Health Management Services, a Division of TELUS Agriculture Solutions Inc., with responsibilities that include heading up research and development. He is also Adjunct Professor in the Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and VERO at Texas A&M University.

In addition, Dr. Booker is a respected innovator who was instrumental in the development of several ground-breaking concepts that revolutionized the delivery of feedlot veterinary services. Some of his significant accomplishments include the development and introduction of a data recording system for day-to-day feedlot operations and the use of applied epidemiology to control disease in feedlot operations. Dr. Booker is named on four patents for his innovative work in developing a method and system for monitoring animals.

"The WCABP is comprised of veterinarians with a broad array of talents and interests in bovine practice and cattle production. I am proud to be a member of this organization and receiving this award is truly an honour,” said Dr. Booker. “I am humbled by the recognition. I thank WCABP for the award and Boehringer Ingelheim for sponsoring it."

Dr. Booker has made extraordinary contributions to bovine health through his research projects, including identifying and documenting Histophilus somni as a major disease, developing prevention and treatment regimes for the control of undifferentiated fever/bovine respiratory disease in feedlot production and defining the role of bovine viral diarrhea virus in feedlot disease.

Derek Groff, Business Unit Director (Livestock) with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada, explained the Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award recognizes exceptional leaders who are making significant contributions to the cattle industry in Western Canada while also demonstrating a strong commitment to the veterinary profession.

“Congratulations to Dr. Booker for being recognized as the 2023 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year,” Groff said. “His pioneering work as a veterinarian, epidemiologist, researcher and innovator have led to advancements in bovine health and the delivery of veterinary services in feedlots in Canada and around the world”

Groff thanked the WCABP for its work to seek nominations and select the recipient of the award.

WCABP's Bylaws indicate that an Honorary Life Membership may be awarded to an individual who is 65 years of age and has made an Outstanding contribution to either the affairs of the Association or veterinary profession. Members nominate a potential recipient by forwarding a letter which outlines the nominee's achievements and why the person is worthy of an Honorary Life membership. This must then be passed by two-thirds (2/3) majority vote at the AGM.