When to Butcher: Seasonal Planning for Homestead Meat Production
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 ...