College of Agricultural Sciences

3 CSU Legends in Meat Industry Hall of Fame’s Inaugural Class

Being the ‘best of the best’ is something the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University strives to achieve on a daily basis. Producing relevant research, recruiting top students, and impacting the world are all critical missions for the Department’s success. While these efforts often happen with little fanfare, the Department is proud to announce three of their most successful have made one of the most prestigious ‘best of the best’ lists in the industry

Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Gary Smith, and the late Kenneth Monfort – all with close and impactful ties to the Department – were named among 21 legends in the Meat Industry’s Hall of Fame. The significance of this honor not only lies in the quality of their life’s work, but also in that this also happens to be first ever class into the Hall.

“I had no idea. I couldn’t believe it,” said Dr. Grandin on what it felt like to receive the news. A renowned designer of livestock handling systems and professor of animal sciences, Grandin is also a distinguished author who is best known for her innate ability to understand the behaviors of animals.

“What is proper handling?” Grandin has made a career of asking this question. She works to measure quality and proper handling using a simple numerical system for evaluating meat plants. In fact, half of the U.S. cattle bound for plants will travel through handling systems that she’s designed. In addition to the consulting and design work that she’s done in the U.S., she has worked with facilities in Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, South America and New Zealand.

“I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to teach, conduct research and participate in outreach activities at CSU,” explains Dr. Smith who is also on faculty in the Department, but transitioning into full-retirement. “The most memorable moments of my career have been observing the career-growth and successes of our students, helping producers succeed in animal agriculture, and assisting meat packers and processors to produce safe, healthful, and palatable meat.” Prior to joining the faculty at CSU, he served as professor and then Head of the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. Throughout his time in both Texas and Colorado, Dr. Smith has won several awards including Distinguished Research Award and the Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Society of Animal Science and from the American Meat Science Association. He is also a Colorado State University Distinguished Professor.

While at CSU, Dr. Smith occupied the Kenneth and Myra Monfort Endowed Chair in Meat Science. He has held this honor and the sustainable research funding that comes with it since 1990. The namesake of this chair, Kenneth Monfort, is the third CSU inductee in the Hall’s inaugural class. Monfort’s career includes being the former Chairman and CEO of Monfort Inc., now part of ConAgra Red Meat Companies subsidiary. Monfort Inc.’s early years included a unique vertical integration of feeding cattle and lambs; meat packing operations including operations to produce meat products for hotels, restaurants, institutions and supermarkets; and the transport and distribution of its products to its customers.

Monfort shared his success with the Department in 1989 when he donated funds for an endowed faculty chair in meat science. A gift such as his for an endowed position provides a sustainable source of funding for the long-term efforts and initiatives of the position holder. Even though Monfort passed in 2001, his gifts still keep giving to the Department. His endowed chair was one of the first in CSU’s history.

The Meat Industry Hall of Fame was created to honor those who’s “vision, skill and dedication shaped and sustained the meat industry as the leading sector of food production.” The Hall’s website goes on to say that they are dedicated to “honoring distinguished individuals in the U.S. meat, poultry and livestock industry; preserving the history of more than a century-and-a-half of progress; and educating the consuming public about the contributions of industry leadership. The charter class of inductees will be honored at a ceremony set for October 27, 2009 in Kansas City.