One of the best perks of working at Lemuria is being able to meet the authors that come through the store promoting their books.  Now, with my new position as community liaison I am able go out in the community and meet the speakers that are coming to town.  This past Saturday, Ellen and I had the pleasure of going to the annual meeting of the Mississippi Cattleman’s Association.

Let me tell you, all I know about cattle farming is that I like what it produces! I do enjoy a good steak and hamburger from time to time, but I really had no idea what all it takes to produce good quality cuts of meat.  From time to time, you hear about abuse of livestock and the terrible conditions that these animals live in, but I will say that I think the majority of these people that we met on Saturday really do care for their animals.  Especially since I saw how interested they were in listening to the keynote speaker of the day, Temple Grandin.

Dr. Grandin, as many of you know, is a doctor of animal science and a professor at Colorado State University, a best-selling author  and a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior.  Her humane livestock facility designs are in use all over the world and she serves as an adviser on animal welfare to several segments of the fast food industry.  As a person with ‘high functioning autism’ she is also well known for her work in autism advocacy and for inventing the hug machine, designed to calm hypersensitive persons.

Dr. Grandin’s theory seemed pretty simple to me:  Safer Handling–Better Meat.  If you follow her methods then you will “improve the day-to-day operation as well as the profitability of  your farm by raising healthier, more contented animals. Your benefits are great–for you and your livestock.”

I would like to thank the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association for inviting Lemuria to take part in their annual meeting. We really enjoyed meeting your members and hope to see some of you in the bookstore soon.

Humane Livestock Handling by Temple Grandin (Storey, 2008)

Share