The day-long event, attended by Novus employees from around the world, industry experts and Novus affiliates, friends and families, provided a neutral forum for six nationally recognized experts to discuss the innovative solutions being developed by academia and industry to address the issues and public perceptions about the handling and treatment of livestock by today’s producers.

The event also included a private screening of the EMMY Award-winning HBO film Temple Grandin, followed by a panel discussion led by Dr. Temple Grandin.

Distinguished presenters and panelists at Novus University Day included:

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  • Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor and air quality extension specialist at the University of California – Davis, who provided an overview of animal welfare issues and solutions industry-wide;
  • Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado State University, who discussed a practical approach to improving animal welfare;
  • Kathi Brock, director of strategic partnerships at the American Humane Association, who discussed the dynamic of third party animal welfare audits;
  • Dr. John McGlone, professor of animal science at Texas Tech University, who provided an overview of innovations in husbandry and transportation to improve pig welfare;
  • Dr. Lindsey Hulbert, post-doctoral scholar in animal sciences at University of California – Davis, whose presentation titled One Size Solution Doesn’t Fit All reviewed housing developments in poultry and calves; and,
  • Dr. Michael Siemens, leader – animal welfare and husbandry at Cargill, who discussed the trends to enhance animal welfare at the beef packing plant level.


Dr. Giovanni Gasperoni, chief administrative and strategy officer for Novus, moderated the presentations.

“The livestock industry faces great challenge, promise and responsibility,” said Thad Simons, president and CEO of Novus. “This event provided a neutral forum for dialogue about emerging issues in animal welfare. Our goal was to encourage discussion from varying points of view in a professional setting where we can learn from one another. We are all responsible for helping the livestock industry move forward together.”  end_mark

—From Novus International news release