Cows 'r Us
We take our responsibility to animals seriously. Each animal has access to two acres worth of green grass and no animal ever sees a feedlot. Our cattle are happy and healthy beasts, wandering the open range and munching high-protein grass. Estancia is beef the way nature intended it to be raised.
Grass-Fed & Pasture-Raised
Animal welfare is critical to our business because healthy, non-stressed animals make for healthier, better-tasting meat. Grass-fed, pasture-raised beef is the tradition in Argentina and Uruguay. The practices are inherent in the culture and deeply-rooted in traditions. It's a simpler way to raise cattle for the very same reasons that it's better for them.
Temple Grandin Protocols
When it comes time for their final day, we use methods developed by Temple Grandin to ensure that our animals suffer minimal stress, fear, and discomfort.
Our animals come directly from our ranches and never travel more than eight hours. We don't use electrical prods or shockers to move the cattle. The holding pens have music, and high, solid walls that are angled so animals aren't aware of large numbers of unfamiliar animals nearby, which causes them to become alarmed.
We keep grazing groups together as they are moved from the ranches to our processing facility and through our facility. The shoot to the kill box is curved, per Dr. Grandin's specifications, and all parts of the holding pens and shoots are shaded and misted to keep the animals cool and comfortable during their last hours.
We do it for the animals, because its the right, respectful, and honorable way to treat them. We also do it for our customers and our bottom line, because the beef tastes better when the animals aren't stressed and scared.