Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein
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Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein is a Canadian federal scientist with expertise in farm animal behaviour, health, and welfare.[1] She works for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre. She is known for her foundational research on assessing welfare in beef cattle including the impacts of long-distance transportation, developing producer-friendly pain mitigation strategies[2] for castration and other painful procedures,[3] and assessing and mitigating lameness in feedlot cattle[4] that has informed regulations and guidelines for the commercial beef cattle industry in North America. Her research results and expertise have guided the industry and led to updated Canadian Transport Regulations and Canadian Beef Codes of Practice.[5] In addition to her research, Schwartzkopf-Genswein provides training and consultation on livestock farming practices.[6][7]
Schwartzkopf-Genswein grew up on a farm in southern Alberta that has been active in the beef cattle feedlot business for over 40 years.[1] Her life on the family farm and early exposure to livestock contributed to her interest in understanding cattle behaviour and their care. Her pursuit to learn more resulted in Schwartzkopf-Genswein obtaining a BSc in biology from the University of Lethbridge (1986), a MSc in zoology/ethology at the University of Regina, and a PhD in applied animal ethology at the University of Saskatchewan (1996).[1][7]