Key Takeaways:
- Cargill is investing $24 million in technology upgrades at its Fort Morgan plant to improve efficiency and worker safety
- The new artificial intelligence tool, CarVe, uses cameras to monitor workers and provide instant feedback on their performance
- CarVe aims to improve yield and reduce waste in beef production, with the potential to produce over a million additional meals from the cows slaughtered
- The tool also focuses on worker safety, with the goal of reducing injuries and improving working conditions
- Cargill’s Factory of the Future initiative has deployed over 100 projects across 35 protein-processing facilities in North America
Introduction to Cargill’s Automation Efforts
The cattle slaughter industry is a hands-on job that requires a high level of proficiency and attention to detail. Cargill, a leading player in the industry, is investing in new technology to improve efficiency and worker safety at its Fort Morgan plant. The company’s Factory of the Future initiative aims to leverage artificial intelligence and other technologies to optimize operations and address labor challenges. One key tool in this effort is CarVe, a computer "visioning" system that uses cameras to monitor workers and provide instant feedback on their performance.
The Beef Production Process
The process of turning a cow into beef is a complex and labor-intensive one. At Cargill’s Fort Morgan plant, cows are processed at a rate of 4,000 per day. The process begins with the cows being moved into a single-file chute, where they are humanely slaughtered and then processed into various cuts of meat. The animal’s carotid arteries are cut, and it is hung upside down to drain the blood. The skin is then removed, and the carcass is carved and cut into various products such as ribeyes, sirloins, and burger. This process requires a high level of skill and attention to detail, and Cargill is working to optimize it through the use of technology.
The Challenge of Low Cattle Supply
The cattle supply in the US is currently at a record low, due in part to a drought that started several years ago. This has led to a decrease in the number of cattle being sent to packing plants, resulting in a slowing of the beef production industry. Despite this, American consumer demand for beef is at a record high, leading to high prices for cattle. Cargill is working to address this challenge by investing in technology that can help to optimize the beef production process and get as much meat as possible from every carcass.
CarVe in Action
CarVe is a key tool in Cargill’s efforts to optimize the beef production process. The system uses cameras to monitor workers and provide instant feedback on their performance. This feedback can be used to identify areas for improvement and provide coaching and training to workers. The system can also capture data on worker performance and provide insights on how to improve efficiency and reduce waste. Cargill executives believe that CarVe has the potential to improve yield and reduce waste in beef production, with the potential to produce over a million additional meals from the cows slaughtered.
Benefits of CarVe
The benefits of CarVe are numerous. The system can help to improve worker safety by reducing the risk of injuries and improving working conditions. It can also help to improve efficiency and reduce waste in the beef production process. Additionally, the system can provide insights on how to optimize the production process and improve yield. Cargill executives believe that CarVe is a game-changer for the industry, and that it has the potential to make a significant impact on the company’s bottom line.
Employee Feedback
Employees at Cargill’s Fort Morgan plant have been positive about the introduction of CarVe. Steve Rodriguez, an operations superintendent at the plant, said that he wishes the system had been introduced 20 years ago. The system has been designed to be a coaching and training tool, rather than a disciplinary one, and Cargill has proactively engaged with union leadership to ensure that the system is used in a way that benefits workers. Overall, CarVe is seen as a key tool in Cargill’s efforts to optimize the beef production process and improve worker safety and efficiency.
