Examining Vision Inspection in Beef Trim Operations
In this episode, we examine how vision inspection is applied in high-volume beef trim processing to address foreign material risk. Beef trim is a critical inspection point, as foreign material that reaches this stage can be distributed across large volumes of finished product during grinding.
The discussion explores how AI-based vision inspection systems complement traditional metal detection and X-ray inspection by detecting low-density contaminants such as plastic, wood, styrofoam, rubber, cardboard, and other materials that are difficult for other technologies to identify. We also explain how AI vision systems are trained to distinguish acceptable product from foreign material in beef trim, even when visual similarities exist.
Finally, the episode highlights how inspection data can be used beyond detection, helping processors trace contamination back to its source, correct upstream issues, and reduce the likelihood of foreign material entering the process in the future. This conversation is relevant for food safety, quality assurance, engineering, and operations professionals involved in beef processing.
👤 Our Guest
Vernon W. Stout, Technical Operations Director for Vision Inspection at KPM Analytics
Vernon is a seasoned entrepreneur, food safety technologist, and technical innovator with more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of technology, agriculture, and public health. He holds a BS in Computer Science and, since 2021, has worked at the forefront of industrial food safety supporting the development and deployment of AI-enabled vision inspection systems within major U.S. beef harvest and secondary processing facilities. His work centers on organizational design, system integration, and the practical application of high-precision AI technologies that support quality control processes, detect physical contaminants, and aid food safety programs in demanding industrial environments.
Previously, Vernon co-founded AboveTraining Inc., where from 2005 to 2021 he helped modernize food safety education through scalable online certification programs. Under his leadership, StateFoodSafety.com became a nationally recognized platform known for its robust learning management systems, regulatory alignment, and commitment to continuous improvement. Following the company’s successful acquisition in 2021, Vernon shifted his focus toward hands-on technical innovation in industrial hardware and AI-driven inspection systems. That same year, he and his wife Rhonda founded Fold of Liberty Farms in Utah, a regenerative agriculture operation that also includes therapeutic livestock experiences and the Tools of Freedom Museum, an extensive military history collection Vernon personally restored to educate the community on constitutional liberties and the sacrifices made to defend them.
