Cargill is deploying artificial intelligence to recover millions more pounds of beef from bones, directly addressing soaring US beef prices that have hit record highs. The company's CarVe system, using computer vision to spot tiny flecks of meat clinging to carcasses, boosts recovery by an average of 0.5 per cent per animal. At Cargill's scale—processing 11bn pounds annually—this translates to roughly 55mn extra pounds worth $200mn at current wholesale prices.

This incremental gain arrives as the US cattle herd shrinks to its smallest in 75 years, driving cattle prices sharply higher and pushing retail beef prices up about 17 per cent year-over-year. The technology not only recovers more meat but also improves resource efficiency, helping Cargill manage cost pressures while maintaining supply amid strong consumer demand that has remained resilient despite higher prices. The system is currently operational at two Texas and Colorado plants, with plans for broader rollout.