The Story of Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin: the voice of the most defenseless

Temple Grandin is an extraordinary woman whose life and work have revolutionized the way we perceive animal welfare in the livestock industry.

His story is an example of determination, innovation and compassion, and his influence on the animal welfare sector is invaluable.

The extraordinary story of a little girl with autism, initially labeled by society as a disabled person destined to live in a care institution. However, thanks to his special relationship with the animals on his farm, he has developed extraordinary expertise in the field of animal welfare, becoming one of the world's leading experts in this sector. Today an established 75-year-old activist and ethologist as well as a professor at Colorado State University. What can we learn from Temple Grandin?

Animal welfare as the fulcrum of everything

In the world of farming, animal welfare is a crucial issue. For many livestock companies, ensuring the humane treatment of animals has become a top priority.

Practices that promote animal welfare not only reflect growing ethical sensitivity, but also improve the quality of the meat itself.

Our vision of animal welfare

For Carne Genuina, and for all the companies that collaborate with us, animal welfare is an unconditional commitment. We work and select small producers who put the well-being of their animals first. This collaboration allows us to guarantee high standards.

Open spaces and natural diet: All our animals grow in open spaces and have access to a natural diet, factors that positively influence their health and the flavor of their meat. Ours is a constant commitment to improving the living conditions of animals and promoting sustainable practices. Each animal is treated with respect, fed appropriately and lives in comfortable living conditions at every stage of their growth.

This attention to animal welfare is reflected in the quality of the meat we offer and is complemented by the importance of providing consumers with clear information on the animals' living conditions and farming practices.

This is why we feel similar to Temple's thoughts!

Temple Grandin and her revolutionary impact

But let's go back to our special woman who in 2010 was also included in the ranking of the 100 most influential people in the world by the Times. Temple Grandin played an integral role in the evolution of the livestock industry. His story is as fascinating as it is inspiring.

Diagnosed with autism from a young age, Temple had to overcome challenges related to her condition to achieve success. He earned a doctorate in animal science, later becoming a world-renowned consultant in the animal welfare sector.

One of his major accomplishments has been the design of slaughter facilities that minimize stress on animals before their death. Thanks to his innovative ideas and studies based on the perspective of cows, he has created slaughter systems that respect animal welfare and consequently improve the quality of the meat.

Thanks to his extraordinary humanity and empathy, Temple Grandin managed to establish a bond with the cattle at such a level that he was able to personally perceive the uncomfortable situations that the animals themselves experienced in a farming context (not yet regulated), such as that of the first 60's.

Fortunately, nowadays livestock are no longer managed through the use of brutal methods, such as sticks or electric props.

It may seem obvious, but in the past, handling such massive animals, weighing more than 300kg, often involved methods based on fear and, sadly, brute force. In this context, Temple Grandin has emerged as a figure of fundamental importance. Thanks to his work, we have truly understood how these animals react to different stimuli, be they a source of fear or tranquility. This deep understanding has led to the development of appropriate methodologies to adopt when interacting with livestock. It is an epochal step for the livestock sector, a crucial turning point in the ethical and conscious management of animals intended for human consumption.

From page to screen: Temple Grandin in the media

Temple Grandin's story was brought to the screen in a powerful way. The 2010 film "Temple Grandin", starring Claire Danes, chronicled her extraordinary life and achievements. The film received numerous awards and helped raise public awareness on the issue of animal welfare.

In addition to the film, Temple gave an emotional TedX talk, where he shared his personal experience and pioneering work in improving animal welfare on farms.

Reading suggestions

If you want to further explore Temple Grandin's work and vision, there are some resources you should consider:

“Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals” : ​​This book by Temple Grandin explores the emotional needs of animals and how we can provide them with a better life.

“Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism” : In this book, Temple Grandin shares her unique perspective on autism and how this condition has affected her career and her understanding of animals.

Temple Grandin's TEDx Talk : Temple's TedX talk is a great opportunity to hear straight from the source and better understand his commitment to animal welfare. Here you will find the link .

In this regard, to make you even more curious, we leave you a small excerpt from the book that talks about her:

“At eighteen, Temple Grandin built a hugging machine. She had seen that the cows became tame inside the containment cage used by the vet to examine them, and she had guessed that a similar instrument could calm her too. So, with two plywood boards that gently hugged the sides of a bench, he created the strange device. Which worked wonders. And Temple, a young autistic girl with many relationship problems, realized she had a special affinity with animals. And he understood that to be happy he would have to study them and spend with them as much as possible. But what do autistic individuals and animals have in common? They respond to external stimuli differently from the norm, and yet according to precise rules, with a coherent internal language and attention concentrated on visual, auditory and tactile details that completely escape us.'' (ed. Adelphi)

An example of compassion and innovation

Temple Grandin's story shows us how a single person can have a significant impact on the livestock industry and animal welfare. His work and dedication inspire us to always look for new ways to improve the lives of animals on farms and promote sustainable practices.

Temple Grandin is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with passion and commitment it is possible to create a better future for everyone, including animals.