Abstract: Apparatus for making a cut in, and in particular removing the spine from a half, or a pare thereof, of an animal, for instance a pig, said apparatus including a frame with a receiving member supported thereby, for instance a supporting surface for the half, a separating member, for instance a saw, arranged close to the receiving member for applying an incision along the spine, transporting means for effecting a relative movement between the half and the separating member, and a sensor member of mechanical, optical or sonic type for determining the depth of the spinal marrow channel of the spine, so making it possible to determine the cross-dimension of the vertebral-bodies along the length of the spine and thereby to carry out the most effective cut.