Georgia tech researchers are making carcass lines safer with a new re-hang shackle

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
Global pork production is expected to rise in the first half of 2026, despite trade volatility stemming from shifting import policies and swine disease pressures.
Even small declines in the calf crop translate into sustained supply pressure, supporting cattle prices over multiple years.
Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Batey joined us with the latest on biosecurity efforts and the state’s new “Know Before You Show” initiative.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller discusses the state’s latest efforts to prevent the New World screwworm from reaching Texas.
Winter Weather And Markets Reshape Agriculture Nationwide This Week
Shrinking sheep numbers contrast with gradual goat expansion, signaling tighter lamb supplies but steadier growth potential for meat goats.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Mason McGuire with the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association recaps this year’s event and looks ahead to the premium sale in April.
FBN co-founder Charles Baron previews the upcoming Farmer2Farmer event and how technology and AI are shaping the industry, offering growers practical insights and farmer-led strategies for modern agriculture.
Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum discusses the latest Farm Bill proposal and the path ahead for Congress and U.S. agriculture.
The Ranger Road Fire spreads from the Oklahoma Panhandle into Kansas as high winds and red flag conditions persist
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses the ongoing measles outbreak in the United States and the importance of vaccination awareness on this week’s Rural Health Matters.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.