Blood and dust, but not rodeo

K-Staters in South Africa Blog - Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Howdy, Blog followers. I realize these blogs come in bunches. Just never know when we’ll get internet access next. I type some things up during bus time, and there may be a day or more stacked up waiting for shipment. I just hope you get this before we’re back in Kansas.

We visited a beef/sheep packing plant this am. It was much bigger and cleaner than I imagined. Of course, I’m used to Big John’s meat lab at Weber; apparently that one isn’t as large as most. Go figure. I thought processing 5 head of cattle a day was a pretty good rate, although having a bunch of undergrads in a class doing the cutting may be a factor.

Marianna, our guide, was not going to go in with us as she was a bit scared to see the process. She decided to go in for the first part, but just the carcass room was a bit of a shock for her. I saw both Bailey and Brandi comforting her during the first few minutes. Nice job by our girls. She really seems to like our kids. Later when we toured a feedlot, I explained that it wasn’t really a bad life: These cattle are born, hang with their mom, then head to a place where they hang out with their buddies with food brought to them everyday. And the end is quick and painless. This seemed to help. She says, “yes, they have a purpose, I can see that!” She’s a kind-hearted lady and is working hard to keep us happy.

DrG