What is involved in the fabrication stage of meat production?

The fabrication stage of meat production specifically refers to the process of converting carcasses into wholesale cuts. During this stage, the whole carcasses of animals that have been processed are broken down into more manageable sections, such as primal cuts like loins, ribs, and shoulders. This allows for the subsequent processing and distribution of various meat products that meet consumer demand.

In the context of meat production, harvesting live animals pertains to the initial stage of processing, where animals are slaughtered for their meat. Rendering inedible by-products involves the processing of inedible parts of the animal (such as bones and fat) into other materials rather than focusing on the meat cuts. Cooking and marinating are preparations meant for consumption and are not part of the fabrication stage, as they involve altering the meat's physical state rather than the breakdown of the carcass into cuts. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the critical step in meat production that prepares the product for the market.