Facilities & Equipment

There’s a new robot in town, and it’s working at Cargill meatpacking plants to promote human safety.

Animal safety has always been a critical aspect of any cattle operation. Without a healthy herd, there would be no meat on the table or money in the bank.

In the fertile, black soil of Iowa, pastureland sells for more than $5,000 an acre, and rent isn’t much more affordable.

The last 10 years have not been so kind to the beef industry. It is facing a triple threat: the trend toward leaner white meats such as chicken and fish, consumer movements like “Meatless Mondays” and even lab-grown meats.

Cold temperatures and frozen ground create challenges for fencing. Cold weather is hard on machinery (hard to start the tractor, skid steer or excavator the post pounder is mounted on), and frozen ground makes it difficult to set posts.

Technology and equipment from companies such as GrowSafe Systems and SmartFeed are changing animal selection and herd management for seedstock and commercial producers alike.