System and method for processing meat

• US 20040149140A1
• Filed: 01/23/2004
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Better Beef Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David H. Long
• Inventors: Long, David H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,118,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/355
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 29/00 Other apparatus for animal husbandry
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/00 Feeding devices for stock or game A01K1/10 takes precedence; feeding devices for poultry or other birds A01K39/00 ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/02 Automatic devices automatic identification devices for stock A01K11/006
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0216 for the distribution of liquid fodder A01K9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A22B 7/00 Slaughterhouse arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 50/60 for weanlings

Abstract

A system and method is shown for processing animals, such as calves, from birth to slaughter by utilizing hot-fed rations during the feeding process. The system and method reduces or eliminates the need to use hormones and simultaneously reduces or eliminates the need to sterilize the meat products. Each calf or animal is weaned at a weaning station, fed at a feeding station, slaughtered at a slaughter station to provide a carcass that is substantially the same size as other carcasses for the same breed of animal processed in the system. The consistent carcass size enables manufacture of consistent carcasses which, in turn, facilitates providing substantially the same size meat cuts. This feature enables use of a standard-size packaging, such as a case-ready package, which may be shipped for display and purchase at a store.

Claims

1. A system for improving meat quality comprising:

a weaning station for weaning a calf from its mother after a predetermined period;

a cooking station for cooking feed above a predetermined temperature to provide cooked feed;

a feeding station for feeding said cooked feed to said calf; and

a slaughter station for slaughtering said calf when it reaches a slaughter weight.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined temperature is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said feed comprises corn or starch grains.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said slaughter weight is at least 1000 pounds.

5. The system as recited in claim 4 wherein said slaughter weight is between 1000-1300 pounds.

6. The system as recited in claim 5 wherein said system further comprises:

a cutting station for cutting meat from each of said calves substantially the same size for packaging in case-ready packages.

7. The system as recited in claim 6 wherein said system further comprises:

a packaging station for said cut meat in substantially identical case-ready packages.

8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said predetermined period is 3 days or less.

9. The system as recited in claim 8 wherein said calf is transferred from said weaning station to said transfer station when said calf reaches a weight of at least 300 pounds.