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NC | You are right people are going to pay to buy a steak.
But the topic is freezer beef-- and freezer beef needs to be mentally separated from the commercial market. Yes right now those selling freezer beef can probably make as much selling on the commercial market . But............ freezer beefs real value is in stabilizing the market swings and profit for individuals.
When the commercial market tanks again(and it will eventually) it would be nice if the freezer beef industry that has just recently taken off again is still blooming. We were VERY close to loosing small plants that would do custom slaughtering about ten years ago. Right now they have more work than they can handle and are thinking about expanding their numbers. If the freezer beef sales back off too much(there is a BIG difference in splurging on a steak- and filling a freezer) we may loose infrastructure and customers---both will make it harder to come back when commercial prices drop again.
The problem with freezer beef is that its too much money to lay out at one time for most people. EVEN if it saves them money in the long run.
Selling smaller batches off one animal increases the trouble, management and labor-- all add up to increasing final cost.
A payment plan would help- but also would increase risk. Again increasing final cost.
We have a group here that orgainises a share program all on their own. Members get together once a month or every other week. They meet at one spot and split a freezer beef/lamb/hog/chickens/vegetables that they schedule to be delivered in bulk themselves. It works for everyone to keep costs down. AND KEEPS THE FARMER OUT OF ALL THE MANAGEMENT HASSLES and is still paid upfront(by one person) for delivery to one spot.
Last I heard the group was still growing, probably because members could still buy smaller quantities.
Only downside I can see is that the farmer has to be licensed/inspected to sell that way and has to deliver the meat.instead of having the buyer own the live animal before processing and responsible for everything. | |
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loosing freezer beef customers rapidly!-Markwright?
