Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
production are pelleted. Feed manufacturing for extensively housed cattle requires
minimal further processing beyond mixing, and feedstuffs are typically mixed on
the delivery truck immediately before distribution.
8.5 PROCESSING FACILITIES
Facilities for the processing of harvested animal products (meat, eggs, milk) are
briefly described.
8.5.1 M
EAT
Abattoirs are designed for accepting and processing substantial numbers of animals
per day. Although these facilities do use varying degrees of automation, substantial
manual labor is involved in the various processing steps from slaughter through to
packaged products. Strict food safety and environmental regulations are applied to
these facilities.
8.5.2 E
GGS
The collection and processing of eggs is a highly automated component of modern
animal agriculture. Commercial egg production goes toward table egg markets and
liquid egg markets. The table egg market in the United States is highly competitive
with a visually appealing product required, but with millions of eggs processed, the
adoption of automation has been significant. Most table eggs are never touched by
human hands until they reach the consumer.
For both table and liquid eggs, automation starts with egg collection from the
house (Figure 8.9). In caged layer facilities, eggs are separated from the birds via
FIGURE 8.9
Egg collection system for laying hens (manure belt beneath cage) (http://www
.choretimeegg.com/products.php?product_id=335). (Courtesy of ChoreTime.)
