Local Meat Processing Resources

Workshops

Optimizing Yields in Beef Cattle: Selective Breeding & Linear Measurements

Day 1: Friday, July 11
Day 2: Wednesday, July 23

Join us for a two-part linear measurements series featuring Harrier Fields Farm owner Mike Scanell and the Butchers at The Meat Hook.

Email Jake Levin at jake@berkshireagventures.org to register for this FREE two-part workshop.

Tools & Resources

Livestock Farmers’ Resource Guide

This is a resource guide for livestock farmers that details processors, regional transportation, cold storage, and sales options. We are excited about the connections and collaborations that this tool may support.

This resource will continue to expand, so check back again if you find it useful - and let us know if there are other tabs or entries you'd like to see in this guide!

If you offer relevant services or know of someone who does, and would like to be included in our resource lists, please fill out this entry form.

The Basic Guide to Meat Literacy

The Basic Guide to Meat Literacy includes cut diagrams for beef, pork, and small ruminants, as well as a glossary of butchery terms, cooking methods, and more.

Livestock Cost of Production Calculator

The Livestock Cost of Production Calculator is a comprehensive tool to help you determine your cost of production to aid in appropriate meat pricing. Watch this video for a walkthrough with Grace Debbeler of Good Roots to learn how to use the tool. Then download the Excel spreadsheet and begin using it for your farm business.

Understanding State & Federal Meat Processing Regulations

Understanding State and Federal Meat Processing Regulations is a comprehensive guide for livestock farmers jointly developed by AgriForaging Food Safety and Berkshire Agricultural Ventures. Chapters address HACCP, labeling, inspections and regulation, animal welfare, and other topics.

Communication

Stay Informed! Join The Meat Up

The Meat Up is facilitated by the Local Meat Processing Support Program which coordinates a Listserv and distributes a newsletter. Learn more about The Meat Up Listserv and Newsletter below.

The Listserv

The Meat Up Listserv is a forum for livestock farmers, processors, and those who work in the middle of the meat value chain in Eastern NY and SW New England to share information, discuss issues related to meat processing, post and view questions, jobs, opportunities, funding and collaborations, support each other, and collaborate. 

Who can join?

  • Livestock and dairy producers

  • Meat processors 

  • Those involved in storage, transportation, or distribution/aggregation of meat products

  • Service providers for livestock farmers and/or meat processors 

  • Work in or collaborate with those who work in Eastern NY or Southwestern New England

In your request, please describe your connection to meat processing in the region so we can ensure that this community remains aligned with our intention for the forum (1-2 sentences).

The Newsletter

The Meat Up Newsletter shares updates and opportunities in regional meat production and processing in Eastern NY and SW New England. We send out 6 newsletters each year, one every other month.

It is our intention that this newsletter will serve to connect and inform the various folks who are involved in the meat supply chain in our area, so that we can support livestock producer viability and improve the availability of local meat products for consumers.

We skew toward information that is most relevant to people working in meat production or processing, but we welcome all to join!

Past Newsletters