Abstract: An irrigation and harvesting system includes one or more center pivot irrigation assemblies. The center pivot irrigation assembly includes a hollow shaft attached to an area of land; one end of a hollow member is attached to the hollow shaft, wherein the hollow member pivots around the hollow shaft, and wherein the hollow member carries irrigation water; a second end of the hollow member is connected to a wheel in contact with the ground, and the wheel is driven at a controlled speed; and a traction device including harvesting equipment is attached to the hollow member.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes providing individual pieces of meat containing lean and fat; subjecting the individual pieces of meat to cooling for a time sufficient to produce a difference in temperature between the fat and lean, wherein the fat is cooled such that the fat is friable and crumbles into finer particulates when subjected to a crushing force and the lean is cooled to a higher temperature than the fat and the lean is able to withstand a similar crushing force without substantially crumbling into smaller particulates; and with the fat and lean at the temperatures produced, subjecting the individual pieces of meat to a crushing force to separate particulates of fat from the individual pieces of meat.

Abstract: Methods for separating lean and fat from beef or other meats and the separation apparatus are disclosed. The methods use microbiocidal fluids to reduce or eliminate possible sources of contamination.

Abstract: A method for separating fat from beef pieces containing fat. The method includes, with an apparatus, reducing the size of beef pieces containing fat when the fat is in a brittle condition into a mixture of particles that comprise predominantly fat and particles that comprise predominantly lean; and, with an apparatus, separating the fat particles from the lean particles based on color differences or size differences.

Abstract: A method for separating fat from beef pieces containing fat. The method includes, with an apparatus, reducing the size of beef pieces containing fat when the fat is in a brittle condition into a mixture of particles that include predominantly fat and particles that include predominantly lean; and, with an apparatus, separating the fat particles from the lean particles based on color differences or size differences.

Abstract: Methods for separating lean and fat from beef or other meats and the separation apparatus are disclosed. The methods use microbiocidal fluids to reduce or eliminate possible sources of contamination.

Abstract: A method for separating fat from lean. The method includes grinding chilled beef comprising fat and lean into a size resulting in particles that comprise predominantly fat and particles that comprise predominantly lean; combining the particles with a fluid to produce a mixture, wherein the fluid comprises water; and centrifuging the mixture to separate the fluid, and the particles comprising predominantly lean from the mixture.

Abstract: A method for separating fat from lean. The method includes grinding chilled beef comprising fat and lean into a size resulting in particles that comprise predominantly fat and particles that comprise predominantly lean; combining the particles with a fluid to produce a mixture, wherein the fluid comprises water; and centrifuging the mixture to separate the fluid, and the particles comprising predominantly lean from the mixture.

Abstract: A method for separating fat from lean, while minimizing the loss of micronutrients from the lean, is disclosed. The method includes combining a mixture of fat particles that are a majority of fat, and lean particles that are a majority of lean, with a saturated aqueous fluid, wherein a density of the fluid is greater than a density of the fat particles, and wherein the fluid is saturated with one or more components found in beef prior to being combined with the beef particles. The method includes collecting the fat particles separate from the lean particles by causing the fat particles to rise in the fluid, and collecting the lean particles. The saturated fluid reduces the depletion of micronutrients from the lean.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes providing individual pieces of meat containing lean and fat; subjecting the individual pieces of meat to cooling for a time sufficient to produce a difference in temperature between the fat and lean, wherein the fat is cooled such that the fat is friable and crumbles into finer particulates when subjected to a crushing force and the lean is cooled to a higher temperature than the fat and the lean is able to withstand a similar crushing force without substantially crumbling into smaller particulates; and with the fat and lean at the temperatures produced, subjecting the individual pieces of meat to a crushing force to separate particulates of fat from the individual pieces of meat.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes transferring a mixture through a conduit, wherein the mixture comprises lean particles with frozen water, fat particles, and a fluid, allowing the frozen water in the lean particles to thaw as the mixture travels through the conduit, and increases a density of the lean particles, accumulating the lean particles with non-frozen water at a first elevation in the conduit, and accumulating fat particles at a second elevation in the conduit, wherein the first elevation is lower than the second elevation.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes providing individual pieces of meat containing lean and fat; subjecting the individual pieces of meat to cooling for a time sufficient to produce a difference in temperature between the fat and lean, wherein the fat is cooled such that the fat is friable and crumbles into finer particulates when subjected to a crushing force and the lean is cooled to a higher temperature than the fat and the lean is able to withstand a similar crushing force without substantially crumbling into smaller particulates; and with the fat and lean at the temperatures produced, subjecting the individual pieces of meat to a crushing force to separate particulates of fat from the individual pieces of meat.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes transferring a mixture through a conduit, wherein the mixture comprises lean particles with frozen water, fat particles, and a fluid, allowing the frozen water in the lean particles to thaw as the mixture travels through the conduit, and increases a density of the lean particles, accumulating the lean particles with non-frozen water at a first elevation in the conduit, and accumulating fat particles at a second elevation in the conduit, wherein the first elevation is lower than the second elevation.

Abstract: A method for separating fat from beef pieces containing fat. The method includes, with an apparatus, reducing the size of beef pieces containing fat when the fat is in a brittle condition into a mixture of particles that comprise predominantly fat and particles that comprise predominantly lean; and, with an apparatus, separating the fat particles from the lean particles based on color differences or size differences.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from beef. The method includes reducing the size of beef into particles, wherein the particles are either predominantly fat particles or predominantly lean particles; combining the fat and lean particles with a fluid, wherein a density of the fluid is greater than fat particles, and a temperature of the fluid is greater than a temperature of the lean particles, and the fluid density is adjusted to provide a predetermined proportion of lean particles to sink in the fluid; allowing the fat and lean particles to rise or fall in the fluid, while the temperature of the lean particles equilibrates with the temperature of the fluid, and increases the density of the lean particles; separating the fat particles from the lean particles to produce a lean beef product.

Abstract: A method for separating fat from beef pieces containing fat. The method includes, with an apparatus, reducing the size of beef pieces containing fat when the fat is in a brittle condition into a mixture of particles that comprise predominantly fat and particles that comprise predominantly lean; and, with an apparatus, separating the fat particles from the lean particles based on color differences or size differences.

Abstract: A method for separating lean meat from lean meat-containing material includes combining a particulate material with fluid, subcritical carbon dioxide at a pH of about 7 or less and a pressure of about 600 psig. The material and fluid is introduced into the vessel and is separated into low density and high density fractions. The material from the low density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of fat than the material introduced into the vessel. The material from the high density fraction is removed via an outlet and has a higher percentage of lean meat than the material introduced into the vessel. The vessel can include a centrifuge or a vessel disposed toward the vertical having an upper and lower outlet, wherein the separation is achieved by the respective densities of the material, and the natural or an artificial gravity field.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for treating food products, such as any species of meat (beef, pork or lamb) and ground beef, being transported in a fluid, such as carbonic acid liquid carbon dioxide, at a pressure sufficient to maintain the carbon dioxide as a liquid.

Abstract: A method for producing various grades of beef is disclosed. The method includes, in two or more trains, creating a mixture of fat particles, lean particles, and a fluid, wherein each train is supplied with beef of varying fat content, for each train producing separate first and second fluid streams, wherein the first fluid stream comprises lean particles, and the second fluid stream comprises fat particles, for each train, adjusting the fat content of the lean stream by adding a controlled portion from the fat stream, separately treating the lean stream from the fat stream to deactivate pathogens, and producing two or more different grades of lean beef product.

Abstract: A centrifuge has an inner and an outer screw. The outer screw transfers material towards a cone-shaped section that leads to an outlet of the centrifuge. A mixture of meat components, liquid carbon dioxide, gas, and optionally water, is spun in the centrifuge. The dense components, such as lean meat, will accumulate away from the axis of rotation and be transferred by the outer screw towards the cone-shaped section. The less dense components, such as fat and adipose tissue, accumulate toward the center of rotation, and are transferred toward an outlet of the centrifuge via the inner screw. Gas accumulates in the proximity of the cone-shaped section and impedes liquid carbon dioxide from exiting with the dense components. The centrifuge is pressurized, which maintains carbon dioxide as a liquid.