Temple Grandin Visits Borderway Mart

Internationally-acclaimed cattle behaviourist expert Temple Grandin Visits Borderway Auction Mart

H&H and Eblex event aims to improve livestock handling

Recently a world-renowned American animal scientist, whose story was turned into an award-winning US film, shared her expertise on livestock handling in Cumbria.

The seminar, organised by Harrison & Hetherington in association with Eblex, took place at Borderway in front of a packed crowd of farmers, businessmen and landowners.  During her presentation, Dr Grandin demonstrated safe practice techniques and how the careful treatment of cattle will help reduce any anxiety during the handling process.

One of the major issues highlighted by Dr Grandin, and one that struck a chord with many on the evening, was about lone animals.  “The lone animal trying to get back to its herd is the one that puts people in hospital,” she said, “A lone bull is the one that causes the majority of fatalities on farms and bulls should always be raised in groups.  When he turns sideways on this happens before he is about to charge.”

Her ability to understand how animals think is down to as she put it her autistic brain.  She says animals think in pictures, and not in words.

Some of the world’s biggest animal processors have used her advice on welfare, handling and facilities for livestock, with around half of all cattle slaughtered in the US handled through systems she has developed. Many livestock farmers around the world also use her advice when planning their livestock handling and holding systems.

Commenting afterwards Harrison & Hetherington’s Director of Operations David Pritchard said: “It is always  important to look at new initiatives and new ideas to improve safety and minimise the risk for both the animals and people handling livestock.  This forum really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to give farmers a chance to learn from a world authority the most effective way to handle cattle and sheep and for ourselves here at Borderway to ensure that we are providing the safest possible environment for both livestock and their handlers.”