Dr. Temple Grandin takes the spotlight at #LCC2018

Featured speaker brings message encouragement to industry to continue to tell the good news in livestock 

World renowned livestock welfare and handling expert Dr.  Temple Gradin kept the crowd at the 2018 Alberta Farm Animal Care Livestock Care Conference enthralled as she spoke about animal welfare and many issues the industry faces today.

Having worked in the industry for more than 45 years, Grandin says she has much change, but one key issue remains—not enough people in the industry talk about the good news and positive developments that have happened over the years.

“We do a lot of great things but nobody knows about it,” says Grandin.

She gave the example of troublesome roosters she had observed more than 20 years ago where they would attack other birds and kill them. Today, through genetics, those issues are no longer around.  However, when she went onto Google Scholar to try and read about the evolution in roosters. However, she came up dry. It’s a massive problem to have these good news stories that are nowhere to be found. Furthermore, she explained, proprietary research is growing and there is not as much public research available and that’s an issue, as well.

When it come to animal welfare, Dr. Grandin explained that measurable, not vague, tools are key. Dr. Grandin also explained how in supply chain management, these measurables are key for consumers, but also for the people involved in the supply chain itself. Without proper tracking and measuring, people aren’t sure how to improve or how to measure whether or not they have improved.

Among a wide ranging talk chock full on interesting insights and lessons, Grandin tackled the major challenge of how best to tell the story of animal care in livestock industries. Everyone can play a role, she said. “Put yourself out there. Make Facebook friends with more than just your farm friends. Connect with urban consumers. We all can have a role in reaching out and making a difference.”

Overall Grandin emphasized the importance of shared values and eating meat in a world where oftentimes opinion comes first and the news and facts come later.

Great job Sierra!

A great moment at #LCC2018 was when Sierra Brand of Rocky North 4-H Multiclub introduced Dr. Grandin. Awesome job Sierra!!!