Friday, April 29, 2011

TGIF, talking lamb chops

Glad Friday has made it here, not that it matters. I still have work to do everyday.  The sheep, dogs, and chickens still need feed, watered, and cared for no matter what day of the week it is.

I just called one of our local butchers to ask him some questions about the lambs going as meat.  I think if we do decide to go this route we will have them processed and vac. packed for us to sell privately.  I saw on line lamb from pasture raised farms.  One that is hormone and antibiotic free is going for an average of $22 a lb in chops, roasts, racks & burger. (Which is how we raise our sheep.)

It is something we really need to crunch the numbers on.  They would have to go at 70 to 90 lbs in order to get back about 50 lbs of meat.  And if we sold retail that meat for half (minus the processing fee) we would make almost twice the $ per lamb.  So we are looking long and hard at this.  It would be better then taking them to market as feeders and getting $2 a pound on the hoof.

I am very new at the whole lamb meat  thing since I have never had to do ours.  Not sure how I am emotionally going to handle it.  I have pretty thick skin, it still will be tough though. 

Peace Out!!

2 comments:

  1. Terri, believe me, I know how hard it is to think about your sheep as meat. But if you know they're being dispatched and processed in a humane and compassionate way, it is some consolation. Make sure you know your butcher and know how he operates. Since your breed produces so many lambs, it's something to consider. What is the taste of the breed? I know N-C are considered a "delicacy", and a friend of mine is crossing N-C with Jacobs and getting a really superior product. He was also interested in your breed because of the prolific births... www.cotafarms.com. If you get in touch with the, tell them you know me. Just my two cents.

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  2. Thanks for the imput. I know in my heart they are raised & taken very good care the limited amount of time they are on this planet. I also know that God put them on this earth for man & I am not taking his(GOD) postion just doing what is asked of me. I know many people are wondering what all the fuss is about but then they don't know me. I devote 24/7 to these animals from the largest donkey to the smallest chicken and it is MY and ONLY MY responsiblity to take care of them properly. Including butchering them.

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