The Spring edition of the Nicholas Meat Quarterly offers a look at the company’s commitment to animal welfare.

Animal welfare is a core priority for Nicholas Meat as the company celebrates having its state-of-the-art cattle barn in operation for almost a year. After breaking ground in 2022, Nicholas Meat opened the doors to the facility in spring 2024. The completed barn can hold more than 1,000 head of cattle and enables delivery of animals 24 hours a day.

“A larger facility provides ample space to hold more cattle at one time than in the past. This gives animals time to adjust to their new surroundings. The added space improves their comfort and helps them remain calm,” said Duane Eichenlaub, Nicholas Meat Regulatory and Sustainability Manager. “The new barn benefits farmers, truck drivers, cattle and Nicholas Meat alike. We also have faster, more efficient unloading times.”

According to Penn State Extension, when an animal becomes stressed, it depletes muscle glycogen, leaving the meat a dark red color rather than the normal bright red. It can also cause the meat to be dry. Thus, it was important for Nicholas Meat to design a system that is as low-stress as possible for cattle. The system is based on the work of Temple Grandin, Ph.D., a designer of livestock and handling facilities and a professor of animal science at Colorado State University.

The new barn measures roughly 40,000 square feet and has rubber floor mats to help cushion animals’ hooves while also helping prevent slips, trips and falls, which could potentially take an animal out of production. Additionally, the barn features industry-leading technology and design for humane handling. For example, there are no sharp corners or 90-degree turns, which helps animals as they adjust to their new surroundings.

Training Important for Employees

Working in the new barn is a job reserved for those with some tenure at Nicholas Meat. Training on animal welfare is done for all Nicholas Meat employees, but additional training is a must if you’re going to be working out in the barn.

“We vet employees for a minimum of six months so we can assess the person’s demeanor and attitude,” Eichenlaub explained. “There is a distinct personality that we want in our barn employees and that’s someone that is calm, quiet and takes the time to do the right thing.”

Once it is determined that an employee will start working out in the barn, they undergo additional training based on the Meat Institute Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines. The overall humane handling training program is overseen by facility management certified through the Professional Animal Auditors Certification Organization (PAACO).

Learn more about how Nicholas Meat approaches animal welfare.

Other news you will find inside the quarterly:

• Thanks for Asking: What is Beef Quality Assurance?
• Celebrate National Ag Week – March 16-22
• Jobs at Nicholas Meat: More Than Production
• Meat Our People
• Recipe: Classic Corned Beef with Cabbage & Potatoes

Read the Spring Quarterly.