The new equipment is more efficient because it can swiftly chill culled birds to just above freezing from a temperature of between 34°C and 35°C (93.2°F and 95°F). The quicker chilling times enable the plant to process approximately 2 million chickens per week.
The chiller is one part of a three-year project to upgrade technologies and improve efficiencies at the company’s Hereford facility. Cargill introduced controlled atmosphere stunning; upgraded the bird reception facilities and expanded the plant’s chilling capabilities and hatchery.
Cargill said the plant improvements will make the Hereford poultry processing facility one of the most efficient and competitive poultry processing plants in Europe.
