A well-renowned animal behaviorist visited Fresno State Monday morning. She spoke to a large crowd before touring the university’s farm.
Colorado State University professor of animal science, Temple Grandin, paid a visit Monday to California State University, Fresno.
“Put your money where your mouth is,” said Grandin about the implementation of humane services for cattle.
Grandin, a leading expert and educator, spoke to crowd of nearly 500 people at the Satellite Student Union about concern for animal welfare.
The university invited Grandin in observance of Autism Awareness Month.
Grandin has advocated for the autistic community in addition to her accomplishments as a professor.
HBO recently released a film depicting Grandin’s success despite her own autistic diagnosis. She is also known for her design of livestock handling facilities, and has gained recognition for a scoring system used to assess large meat plants throughout the U.S.
Animal welfare is an ongoing issue for American agriculture and the industry remains in the lime light under detailed scrutiny for it.
Grandin addressed the concerns of activist agencies during her lecture.
“We have got to give animals a decent life ”” a life worth living,” Grandin said. And she stressed that it is imperative to “look at the whole system.”
It is essential that animal handling facilities have objective guidelines that can be evaluated. Grandin suggested that words like “proper, adequate and sufficient,” be replaced with a more specific notation.
“Maintaining high standards requires continuous measurements,” she said.
Professors were encouraged to devote more attention to hardwired animal behavior in the classroom so students can grasp a better understanding of them.
“Animal thinking is very specific because it is sensory based,” Grandin said.
A conceptual understanding of the animal prepares industry to better accommodate their welfare.
Jon Dolieslager, owner of the Tulare County Stockyard in Dinuba, Calif., attended the lecture in the Satellite Student Union, eager to implement Grandin’s ideas.
“I am very interested in her practices for humane care and how to design facilities,” Dolieslager said. “Her practices are the best in the nation and industry.”
Agricultural business student, Danielle Wood said she was fascinated by Grandin‘s work in the cattle industry.
“She is one of the most brilliant people I have ever heard speak,” Wood said.