It takes a special kind of aggie to man a carcass station in a packing plant. With weights well into the double digits, it can be a physically-demanding job.
Researchers at Georgia Tech are looking to shake things up using a new system, giving workers a helping hand.
Dr. Konrad Ahlin has developed a re-hang shackle, which is a device that guides the bird’s legs into place, removing the need for heavy lifting. Its mission is to reduce the strain for the person running the carcass line.
Ahlin tells the MeatingPod that it is mentally challenging, too, and he hopes his device can keep packing houses safe.
His re-hang shackle is patent pending.
Related Stories
Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,000 acres across Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is nearing containment, as ranchers begin assessing cattle and infrastructure losses as they look toward recovery.
Domestic beef demand remains solid, with the strongest growth occurring through retail channels, according to consumers surveyed in the latest K-State Meat Demand Monitor.
Fed cattle numbers are down two percent in February, according to the latest USDA report. Marketings fell 13 percent, signaling continued pressure on beef prices in 2026.
New details on the massive wildfire threatening farms and ranches in the Southern Plains.
Mason McGuire with the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association recaps this year’s event and looks ahead to the premium sale in April.
The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum highlights modest price support from tighter supplies across cotton, grains, dairy, livestock, and sugar into 2026.
