This is a great idea I've never encountered before. And it could be very low-tech: just breed selectively.
I suspect the flaw is that substantial brain functioning is hard or impossible to get rid of without damaging the animal's meat output. For one thing, good hygiene has got to be cognitively demanding, especially given the tight quarters we raise farm animals in. Poor coordination could lead to broken bones and infections. Stupider animals might even be more prone to fighting, which would be no good at all.
I suspect the flaw is that substantial brain functioning is hard or impossible to get rid of without damaging the animal's meat output. For one thing, good hygiene has got to be cognitively demanding, especially given the tight quarters we raise farm animals in. Poor coordination could lead to broken bones and infections. Stupider animals might even be more prone to fighting, which would be no good at all.