A new series from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) FutureFood 2050 spotlights agricultural pioneers who are sowing seeds of innovation, including renowned Colorado State University animal scientist Temple Grandin.

In an interview, Grandin talks about how improving animal welfare is crucial to long-term sustainability.

“We need more research into breeding for optimal production instead of maximum production,” says Grandin. “Also, we need to understand why some of these physical problems, like poor leg conformation in beef cattle, seem to be linked to breeding for maximum production.”

Read the interview here.

FutureFood 2050 is a multi-year program highlighting the people and stories leading the efforts in finding solutions to a healthier, safer and better nourished planet to feed 9 billion-plus people by 2050. Through 2015, the program will release 75 interviews with leaders in food and science. Next year, FutureFood 2050 will also debut a documentary film exploring how the science of food will contribute solutions to feeding the world.