Planning

“Is it cheaper to do it yourself?” That’s the question everyone asks. The answer? It depends on what you’re counting and how you value your time. I’ve done both — hauled animals to processors and processed everything at home. Here’s the honest breakdown after years of tracking actual costs. The Processor Route Typical Costs (2024 Prices) These vary by region, but here’s what we see in the Midwest: Animal Kill Fee Cut & Wrap (per lb) Typical Total Chicken N/A $4-6/bird $4-6 Lamb/Goat $50-75 $0.85-1.25/lb $125-175 Pig $75-100 $0.90-1.25/lb $200-350 Beef $100-150 $0.95-1.35/lb $400-700 Hidden Costs People Forget Transportation: ...

Timing matters in meat production. The wrong timing means tougher meat, harder processing, and frustrated homesteaders fighting the weather. Here’s how we plan our processing calendar on our Indiana homestead — and how you can adapt it to your climate and animals. The Two Rules of Timing Rule 1: Cool weather is your friend Processing in 40-60°F weather is dramatically easier than fighting heat or bitter cold: Meat stays cool naturally during processing No flies or insects More comfortable working conditions Easier to hang and cool carcasses Rule 2: Animal readiness beats calendar dates ...