Last week as I wearily walked to my gate after attending the National Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Baltimore a newspaper headline caught my eye, "A gap in food safety,” scrolled across The Sun, Baltimore’s main newspaper. The article followed a weekend where a new record was set, one the beef industry wished never happened, 143 million pounds of ground beef was recalled. The result of a man carrying a hidden video camera as he poised as a hourly worker in then a little-known beef processing plant in Chino, California, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co and documenting one of the worst cases of cow-abuse in recent history.

The news of such abuse sickened me. In no circumstances should ANY animal be treated in the manner in which these animals were treated. But after being involved in the beef industry since a child and currently being employed by an agribusiness company involved in beef processing a comment in the Baltimore Sun caused that feeling of anger to rise inside me.

Temple Grandin, an animal handling expert at Colorado State University who regularly visits processing plants throughout the industry helping them to improve on their animal handling practices, said “You go to one plant, and they do an excellent job.” She went on to say, “You go to another, and they don’t.” The article went on to say that based on Grandin’s observations that at least 10 percent of meat companies try to sidestep regulations. What about the 90% who are doing the RIGHT thing and the many that go ABOVE and BEYOND to ensure the welfare of the animal is at the forefront of everyone’s minds?

Many times those of us involved in production ag forget to "toot" our own horn about the safe and humane manners of animal handling. Maybe that is because we feel that is part of our job? Maybe we see it as expected? I know my personal experience has included going through and conducting training on animal handling not only to those working in a processing plant but to young children involved in livestock production.

Many companies today have animal handling statements that are communicated to their employees and have created comprehensive plans which include everything from powerpoints, video’s, online training, to exams to ensure their employees understand the importance of properly handling animals.

I am proud to say that I belong to the 90% of those who choose to do the RIGHT thing and ensure properly handling of livestock. The issue right now that I see is a small minority diminishing the efforts of a majority.

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