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Post by linsal on Aug 19, 2011 21:31:14 GMT -5
Ok...so I got tired of getting the shaft from the local sales barn on my dairy bull calves and have started raising a few steers. Can't eat all the meat myself, and would like to consider direct marketing. What have y'all done to sell meat that you consider to be successful? It looks like selling a 20-25 lb package would work better than trying to sell by the quarter or half (at least in my area). Any info would be appreciated.
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Post by clayknob on Aug 19, 2011 21:57:28 GMT -5
In this area there are quite a few local lockers that also have a small meat retail shop in the front. Hansen's in Jerseyville (I think they have a website) offers monthly meat packs 50# and family packs #150. They have an excellent following and buy most of their meat local off the farm. They only charge .20 lb higher than Wal-Mart and have not heard any complaints about the price or quality. There seems to be opportunities out there, just depends on the area I think.
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angus1
Hired Hand
Medical doctor, cotton farmer and angus rancher
Posts: 177
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Post by angus1 on Aug 22, 2011 10:32:53 GMT -5
Produce good meat , steak, aged and they will come to you. Takes a little time and may have to give a way a few samples , but if it is good. You will have all the customers you want..
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Post by Rich© on Aug 22, 2011 12:45:12 GMT -5
20 to 25 lb packages makes me think you need to work with a locker. Find one that is usda certified and displays the sticker so that your farm raised beef can be inspected and then he can sell the cuts individually for you with a markup of his own.
Now being holstein... you might not get alot of happy looks because the public associates that breed with dairy.
Nevertheless, if nothing else, you can grind the entire thing into burger meet and sell it as such and probably have a good lil go.
Next problem might be keeping up with demand.
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Post by John SD on Aug 22, 2011 13:51:18 GMT -5
I agree with Rich that the fact your steers are Holstein might be a sticking point.
Honestly, I've never eaten a Holstein so I don't know but it seems a dairy breed would be less marbled than a beef breed and steaks and roasts would consequently be a bit tougher.
The hamburger from a dairy animal should be lean as any out there. That might be the market niche to sell healthy lean low fat burger.
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Post by Dave-ECIA on Aug 22, 2011 16:51:55 GMT -5
I'm not going to comment on the beef quality of stein steers, I truly don't know. Never ate one that I was aware of.
However, like most things, sell what you got. Maybe instead of calling it Stein or Dairy Beef, call it Colored Beef, or just plain Beef. Maybe the folks will never know if it's good. If it's tough or too lean, well, good luck.
Get creative.
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Post by Rich© on Aug 22, 2011 17:13:52 GMT -5
I've never had the pleasure of eating a holstein burger either but I have had the distinct pleasure of helping slaughter them on the killfloor.
And you think simmy's are large framed? HA!
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Post by John SD on Aug 22, 2011 21:17:28 GMT -5
So Rich, do you know what happened to the Holsteins after they left the kill floor and reached the cutting table? Did the guys make 'em into steaks and roast like any other beef or just grind it all into burger?
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Post by Rich© on Aug 23, 2011 0:11:53 GMT -5
Cuts just like any other beef.
Talk about a long carcass though. I mean long. We had a helluva time getting the front quarters on the hooks to go into the cooler after slaughter. Had the chain hoist hook to the ceiling and was still playing hell to get the hooks in. Always have to hook under 2 ribs. If you hook any less they will rip out and hit the floor.
Then.. even after hook under two ribs..... the leg rubbed the floor.
I think back to that 1400 lb steer I showed at the fair as a kid and the judge placed me 3rd to last because the steer "wouldn't fit in the box".
Ignorant sumbitch.... They gotta be able to get to the cutting table to make it to the box first.
KSU judging jockies.. Go figure.
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Post by feelnrite on Aug 23, 2011 14:29:46 GMT -5
I have been told on really big bulls that you cant send them to just any kill plant because they are not equipped to handle them. I have heard they have pulled the rails out of the ceilings when hung up.
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Post by Rich© on Aug 24, 2011 1:34:17 GMT -5
Feelnrite... From my experience with Holstein Steers... I will say that is more then likely a real possibility and I believe it.
The length on a Holstein is unreal till you are actually there and seeing them hanging.
They didn't even sit on the cradle worth a damn to skin and de-leg.
Then take into consideration that by far and wide the average holstein bull is a s.o.b. for any decent attitude. With that sort of size, weight, and muscle, without the correct holding pens... your looking at an accident waiting to happen.
That breed is just one large animal.
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Cleavage
4-H er
Certified DD member
South of 16
Posts: 18
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Post by Cleavage on Aug 24, 2011 15:47:59 GMT -5
We've raised holstein steers since we got out of dairy. We ship them direct to Plainwell Mi. where they are cut and sold just like other breeds. We sell them on yeild and grade and usually average 25% select, 60% choice, and 15% prime. If you feed them right you can't really tell the difference in the beef. I've ate many dairy steaks and most other people have as well, they just never knew it.
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Post by homegrowncow on Aug 24, 2011 18:37:31 GMT -5
Something you can look at - and obviously I am biased - but it is free for farmers - is Home Grown Cow. It costs producers nothing to list their farm or to sell - it's a virtual farmers' market and it's paid for willingly by the customers who are hungry for farm-direct meat.
I recently had some holstein hamburger from one of our farms - Green Acres in Janesville, WI and it was delicious - don't knock it till you try it!
Please check us out at homegrowncow.com
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Post by Dave-ECIA on Aug 26, 2011 7:15:49 GMT -5
Something you can look at - and obviously I am biased - but it is free for farmers - is Home Grown Cow. It costs producers nothing to list their farm or to sell - it's a virtual farmers' market and it's paid for willingly by the customers who are hungry for farm-direct meat. I recently had some holstein hamburger from one of our farms - Green Acres in Janesville, WI and it was delicious - don't knock it till you try it! Please check us out at homegrowncow.com Ok, we'll give you the first one free (as always). We're trying to keep any commercial interests from posting in the discussion boards. You're welcome to list your commercial website as part of your signature line. We also have an area to post your business info, look for "Business Cards" in the Classified area. Welcome aboard, and that looks like an interesting concept, hope it it working, we need to connect the consumer more directly to the producer. |
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