Key Takeaways
- Cargill announces nearly $90 million investment in its Fort Morgan, Colorado facility as part of its Factory of the Future initiative
- Project includes implementation of CarVe, a proprietary computer vision system designed to improve real-time yield efficiency
- Enhancements aim to improve operational performance, workplace safety, and employee inclusivity
- Investment follows $24 million in technology upgrades already made since 2021
- Cargill also supports local housing development and community programs in Fort Morgan
Cargill Advances Fort Morgan Facility with Major Investment in Automation
Cargill has announced a planned investment of nearly $90 million to modernize its Fort Morgan, Colorado beef processing facility. The funding, which will be deployed over the next several years, is part of the company’s broader Factory of the Future initiative. It is aimed at improving yield efficiency, increasing operational safety, and creating a more inclusive work environment.
This latest commitment builds on the $24 million Cargill has already invested at Fort Morgan since 2021 to support technology upgrades.
Introducing CarVe: Real-Time Yield Optimization with Computer Vision
A key element of the upcoming upgrades is the deployment of CarVe, a proprietary, patent-pending computer vision technology. Designed in-house by Cargill, CarVe provides real-time measurement of red meat yield, enabling frontline managers to share immediate feedback and help employees improve cutting techniques.
“Before CarVe, yield data was always yesterday’s news,” said Jarrod Gillig, Senior Vice President of Cargill’s North American Beef business. “Now, we’re making decisions in the moment and saving product that would’ve been lost.”
According to Cargill, CarVe can help improve yields across the U.S. beef industry, which produces more than 27 billion pounds annually. A one percent gain in yield could save hundreds of millions of pounds of meat, an especially relevant benefit amid current low cattle supplies.
Community Investment in Fort Morgan
Alongside plant modernization, Cargill is also investing in the Fort Morgan community. The company is backing a $40 million housing development, including 27 completed townhomes and an 81-unit apartment complex expected to open in Fall 2025. Additionally, Cargill has contributed more than $500,000 in local grants to support childcare options and homeownership education programs.
“Fort Morgan plays an important part in Cargill’s critical role as a food company to the nation and the world,” said Gillig. “By partnering with local ranchers and farmers, we’re working hard to produce more food with less impact.”
Focus on Efficiency and Sustainability
The planned investment reflects Cargill’s ongoing strategy to maximize resource efficiency and enhance sustainability throughout its protein supply chain. By leveraging smart technologies like CarVe, the company aims to reduce waste, improve throughput, and support resilient food production systems.
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