In which production stage are live animals converted into meat?

The correct choice indicates that the conversion of live animals into meat occurs during the harvest stage, which is a crucial step in the meat production process. During this stage, animals are humanely slaughtered, and their carcasses are prepared for further processing. This is where the initial transformation takes place, as the live animals are systematically processed into meat products.

In the context of meat production, fabrication refers to the breaking down of carcasses into retail cuts, while processing involves additional steps like curing, smoking, or packaging meat for sale. Rendering is a different process altogether, where inedible parts of the animal, such as fat and bones, are processed to create products like tallow or animal feed. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the role of each stage in the overall production cycle of meat.