"Animal welfare isn't a strategy; it's our way of understanding livestock farming for generations."

From his early days in the family business to his current role in strategic management, Miguel Vergara Blanco, manager of Vergara Life, has been involved in every phase of the meat production process. Vergara Life is the Miguel Vergara Group's division dedicated to extensive production, with an innovative approach that seeks to genetically improve Angus cattle breeding and the suckler cow sector in Spain.

In this conversation, Miguel tells us how his experience has been key to the group's development and how they've integrated animal welfare and sustainability as fundamental pillars of their business model.

From practice to strategic vision: a path built from the ground up

His journey in the sector began at age 15, when, during the summers, he worked in various positions within the family business. "My father asked us to work hard before enjoying our vacations in the village, so I started by learning basic tasks such as meat packaging, cleaning boxes, and preparing orders in logistics," he explains. To this day, he claims to be the only one who has taken on every possible role, from the meat production plant and animal husbandry on the farms to the offices, including the administration, accounting, and marketing departments. He currently holds other more strategic or management positions.

"Today, at 31, I see that it was the best possible training, and I will always be grateful to my father for that. It has allowed me to appreciate every position in the company, thoroughly understand the sector, and develop a comprehensive vision for its future," he adds.

A differential model in meat production

One of the aspects that distinguishes his business group is the comprehensive management of the entire production chain. "We are one of the few that control the entire process: from breeding on extensive farms to final sale in retail, hospitality, and e-commerce," he explains.

The model covers everything from insemination and calf birth to rearing, fattening, slaughter, and marketing. "This approach allows us to professionalize each process, incorporate innovations, and offer products customized to each client's needs." For him, the key lies in flexibility: "We don't produce first and then sell, but rather we listen to the client and adapt our production to their needs," Vergara explains.

Animal welfare: from passion to certification Welfair®

Animal welfare has always been an essential part of their way of working, a commitment that goes back generations and has been refined over time. "My grandfather already understood that a well-cared-for animal is synonymous with a high-quality product," a philosophy that continues to be the cornerstone of their daily work. "We've always done this," they explain, emphasizing that animal welfare is something that predates the implementation of external certifications. However, being certified by Welfair® has been a significant step: "Having an independent seal that validates our practices gives us credibility with consumers and helps us continue to improve," he notes.

For Grupo Vergara, the process of becoming certified with Welfair® is not just a way to communicate what they already do, but an opportunity to reflect on their practices and look for areas for improvement. "It's like getting a second opinion from someone who tells you, 'You're doing well, but you could do better,'" he concludes.

The importance of working with Welfair® also lies in the impact this has on consumer perception. "It's all very well saying you're doing well, but it's better to have a third party say it for you," he adds, emphasizing that transparency and external validation are essential to gaining customer trust.

Innovation and technology 

Technological advancement has been another key ally in the animal welfare strategy. "We have equipment that improves animal comfort and reduces the strain on our workers, personalized feeding systems, and control devices to optimize every aspect of management," he explains.

He also emphasizes that ongoing training is essential: "Our veterinarians and nutritionists regularly attend conferences and training sessions to update their knowledge. If we want to be the best, we have to work with the best," Vergara asserts.

Sustainability and the future: viable and responsible livestock farming

Sustainability is one of the top priorities for Grupo Vergara, with key projects aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and revitalizing rural areas. Initiatives such as Life Beef Carbon aim to reduce the environmental impact of the meat sector, helping to combat climate change through more responsible resource management. "We strive to create a circular economy by taking great care of the animals' environment, the forests, the soil, and the use of electric vehicles. We want to produce more efficiently to minimize the impact of the greenhouse effect," he explains.

Furthermore, Vergara Life, the aforementioned initiative, seeks to revitalize livestock farming in rural areas and combat village depopulation: "We facilitate access to livestock farming with easy-to-handle animals and technical support, ensuring the purchase of their production for 10 years," says its manager.

The future of the industry

For him, the meat industry faces significant challenges, but also opportunities. "Small farmers find it difficult to survive on their own, but collaborative models like Vergara Life can make a difference."

Finally, he emphasizes the need to innovate and communicate better. "If we don't explain what we do, we risk disappearing." His vision is clear: "The future of livestock farming lies in animal welfare, efficiency, and honest communication with consumers."