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Udderly relaxed: How massaging newborn calves might make them heavier, healthier
Udderly relaxed: How massaging newborn calves might make them heavier, healthier

CBC

time2 days ago

  • Health
  • CBC

Udderly relaxed: How massaging newborn calves might make them heavier, healthier

When calving season rolls around, cattle rancher Karyn Neilson doubles as a masseuse. She gives every other newborn calf on her central Alberta farm a one-minute, head-to-hoof massage — hoping it'll be the start of a healthier and more profitable herd. "We do that to imitate what its mother will do and create a positive bond with the animal," said Neilson, co-owner of Neilson Beef in Stettler, Alta. "In future interactions we have with it, it won't be viewing us as a predator. It has a positive interaction with us and then it's just easier to handle and such in the future." Using gentle but firm pressure, she starts the spa treatment at the top of the calf's head before moving down their backs and legs, while keeping an eye on their tail. "When you can hit a spot where their tails wag, you can tell you're making them extra happy." Neilson has done this to hundreds of newborn calves in the last five years, as part of a research study with Olds College. They're looking to see if using this technique in the first week of life — a critical period of brain development — can reduce the calves' stress, make them healthier and heavier, and ultimately help beef producers make more money. 47-pound weight gain Lead researcher Désirée Gellatly compares the technique, known more formally as tactile stimulation, to skin-to-skin contact with newborn human babies. "The first time [producers] interact with the beef calf is normally averse — it's to do ear tagging, it's to do shots, it's to do castration. We are trying to see if with one minute of gentle touch at the time of processing the calf, we can switch how the calf perceives us," said Gellatly, research scientist for Olds College's Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production. Inspired by a similar study she worked on with dairy calves in Brazil, she's also hoping to improve calves' health. Between Neilson Beef and another cattle ranch in southern Alberta, Gellatly is set to analyze data from roughly 900 animals next month. She said the initial pilot study, conducted over two years starting in 2020, showed some positive signs. "We found in the first year that animals that received the massage were 47 pounds heavier than animals that did not receive the massage," she said. "In the second year, we found they were about 20 pounds heavier than animals that did not receive the massage." This year, the researchers and producers are conducting DNA testing to rule out whether the sire's genetics are contributing to the weight differences. Gellatly and her research team plan to submit their scientific paper in the next couple of months. "The goal is that producers start doing this not only because it can improve the profitability, but because it's the right thing to do, right? We are taking care of these animals. We are using these animals. So I think it's fair with them that we treat them right." $150 a minute With nearly 15,000 followers on TikTok, sharing this novel approach has been met with some skepticism by other producers. But for Lance Neilson, Karyn's husband, the extra time spent is worth it. "Right now, a calf is worth, say, about $5 a pound when you wean them from their mother. So if you're getting an extra 30 lbs., we're talking $150 for a minute of work," he said. "$150 a minute — that's a pretty good payday for you." He said massages alone aren't magic, but the bond formed sets the stage to layer on other low-stress handling techniques throughout the cows' lives. The Neilsons say it has also reduced their stress. "We are calmer. The cows are calmer…. We don't groan if we have to go to do cows like maybe we did five or six years ago," said Karyn. Low-stress handling Near Nanton, Alta., John Smith and Laura Laing of Platteau Cattle Co. — winners of this year's environmental stewardship award from Alberta Beef Producers — also joined the study two years ago, in a relentless pursuit of improving their cattle's welfare. They said they receive similar pushback, but also a lot of comments from curious folks. They say the credibility is ultimately in the research. "There's a lot of factors and some of those things are really hard to account for. But I know from boots on the ground, what we see is … something good happens when you do it. And I think any producer, if they took the time, the 60 seconds, they would feel the same thing that we feel," said Smith. Laing said the biggest challenge they face is not massaging all of the cows because they're still in the study and need a control group. That's going to change once the data collection stage is over. "We're just going to massage every calf," said Smith.

Inside massage parlour where top Aussie lawyer found dead
Inside massage parlour where top Aussie lawyer found dead

News.com.au

time11-07-2025

  • News.com.au

Inside massage parlour where top Aussie lawyer found dead

Police investigating the death of high-flying Australian lawyer Christopher Saines are looking into whether a white powder found in his pocket was cocaine - and if the Thai massage parlour whe he died was licensed to operate. Mr Saines was holidaying with his wife, Chantho, and their two children on the popular southern island of Koh Samui Authorities say initial inquiries suggest the 'deeply loved and devoted' father died from heart failure. Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong of Bo Phut Police Station told journalists that officers found a small ziplock bag containing a white powder in Mr Saines' trouser pocket, and until the substance, suspected to be cocaine, is tested and results confirmed, police will keep an open mind. A police source said the results were still a couple of days away. Mr Saines was last seen barefoot and with a beer in hand before he entered Siam Touch Massage in Bo Phut late on Sunday night. It is understood the 43-year-old chief executive of Brisbane firm GLG, left the 17-room property in the tourist area overlooking Chaweng Beach late on Sunday night. He arrived at the parlour alone, apparently opting for a 400 baht – $A18 – traditional oil massage. Col Phumaret Inkong said that after Mr Saines finished getting the massage, he got dressed and went to the bathroom. 'Then, he asked to sit and rest on the bed for a moment, and he simply fell asleep,' he said, according to Asia Pacific Press. 'The masseuse said that he was snoring so loudly that they had to ask the guests nearby if they wanted to change rooms. 'He stayed like that until around 3am, when the shop closed, and the masseuse left him to sleep in the room.' Mr Inkong said around 6am, she came back up to wake him, but he didn't respond. 'She then called her friend to help check on him. That's when they discovered that he had passed away. It's believed that he died sometime after 4am.' Masseuse Premyupa, 47, told local media after she finished the massage around 1.10am, Mr Saines, who paid in cash, asked to rest on the bed. 'I went to serve another customer and when I came back around 10 minutes later, he was asleep,' she continued. 'He was still snoring around 4am, so I didn't wake him.' Ms Premyupa told local outlet Thaiger when she returned to wake him two hours later, he was cold and unconscious. She said it was around 6.20am when she tried to wake him, adding he was not breathing. 'I panicked and called the other staff for help.' Mr Inkong said when police arrived at the scene, Mr Saines 'was already lying dead', adding 'there was no foam at the mouth'. Lieutenant Colonel Inkong said the masseuse reported no injuries, and the massage 'proceeded normally without incident.' While there were no CCTV cameras inside the massage parlour, which reportedly also offers sexual services, police found footage outside the shop which showed Mr Saines arriving without shoes and carrying a can of beer. Officials investigating massage parlour Officials are investigating whether the parlour, housed in a three-storey commercial building, is licensed to operate. understands the massage parlour, not currently listed on Google, only opened in June this year. The building is also home to Samui Green Hotel, which did not have any information regarding Mr Saines' death when contacted by Images show several rooms inside the parlour including the alleged private room Mr Saines was found unresponsive. Police and medics from Koh Samui Hospital found him lying horizontally across a narrow bed with his legs dangling over the side. Mr Inkong said there were no signs of physical struggle. 'The masseuse had no injuries either. The massage proceeded normally,' he said. Initial inquiries suggest the 43-year-old died of heart failure. His body was taken to the Surat Thani Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Staff from villa searched for Mr Saines When staff at the luxury hotel noticed Mr Saines had not returned to the villa on Sunday night, they started to look for him. 'The hotel staff noticed the guest was missing, so they went out to look for him,' Mr Inkong said. Police said that the staff 'did not show any suspicious behaviour' and his wife, Chantho, had not raised any concerns with officers about foul play. has contacted the villa for comment. Heartbreak over Mr Saines' death Mr Saines' wife, Chantho, was informed of his death about 3pm on Monday. The family were staying at the luxury villa during there time on the island. Shocked staff at the late lawyer's firm – GLG – told he was expected back at work next week. A statement sent to by GLG Legal said the family of Mr Saines was overwhelmed by grief, and that the 43-year-old was 'deeply loved'. 'It is with unimaginable sorrow that we confirm the sudden passing of a beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, and colleague, Christopher Saines, who died earlier this week while on holiday with his family in Thailand,' the statement read. 'Christopher was a deeply loved member of our family and a remarkable person whose presence brought light to us. 'At just 43, Christopher had already made a profound impact through his professional achievements and his unwavering commitment to the people and causes he cared about most. He lived with purpose, passion, and drive. 'Christopher leaves behind his loving wife and two young children. He was a dedicated family man and a remarkable father. He will be remembered by us as a warm, loving, and caring person. 'We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we've received during this incredibly painful time from our friends, colleagues, and the broader public.' The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family. Mr Saines was the leading commercial and property law solicitor at Brisbane-based firm, GLG. According to his LinkedIn he has been a CEO at the firm for 10 years. He was also an Advisory Board Member of Aged Care Reviews and a committee member of the International Bar Association. DFAT have been contacted for comment on Australia's involvement in the investigation and arrangements for Mr Saines to be returned to his homeland.

Man charged with sexually assaulting four women during treatments at luxury spa
Man charged with sexually assaulting four women during treatments at luxury spa

The Independent

time08-07-2025

  • The Independent

Man charged with sexually assaulting four women during treatments at luxury spa

A man has been charged with sexually assaulting four women during treatments at a luxury health spa. Ibrahim Ali, 36, of Percy Place in Datchet, Berkshire, was charged on Saturday in relation to four incidents at the Nirvana Spa in Wokingham, Thames Valley Police said. Four women reported being touched inappropriately during treatments at the spa. The suspect was subsequently charged with four counts of sexual assault by touching following a police investigation. Nirvana Spa has an annual membership of more than £2,200 and describes itself as 'the UK's leading pure water retreat' on its website. In a statement, the spa said: 'We are aware of the outcome of a police investigation involving a massage therapist who previously worked at Nirvana Spa. First and foremost, we want to express our heartfelt empathy to anyone affected by this matter. 'Matters of this nature are taken extremely seriously by Nirvana Spa and as such there was an immediate internal investigation. 'We can confirm that the individual in question is no longer employed by Nirvana Spa, and we have fully cooperated with the police throughout their investigation. 'We cannot comment further on an ongoing court case but the safety, trust and well-being of our customers have always been, and will always remain, our highest priority.' Ali will appear at Reading Magistrates' Court on August 6.

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