Temple Grandin's Guide to Working with Farm Animals

May 15, 2017
Professor of animal science, guru of animal behavior, author, and fierce advocate for the humane treatment of all animals, Grandin (The Autistic Brain, 2013) narrows her focus from the practices employed by massive livestock agribusinesses to those challenges encountered by the local family farm or novices in the field of animal husbandry. It is in just such small-scale conditions that Grandin's methods make most sense and are easiest to carry out. Through keen observation, adaptive handling techniques, and intuitive predictions of animal behaviors and reactions, the small farmer can safely and compassionately tend herds of cattle, sheep, goats, and other grazing animals. More than just a merciful methodology, the kindness shown to animals throughout their lives can have major benefits in terms of better health and faster growth. Grandin gets to the finest points of animal husbandry, providing perceptive insights into animals' physical strengths, weaknesses, and emotional capabilities. Augmented by finely wrought illustrations that delineate pastures, pens, chutes, and handling facilities, Grandin's guidebook is an essential resource for anyone involved with livestock management on any scale.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)