This is one 1300 lb 5 yr old cow I want to cull and try the hamburger approach. I don't think the meat will be that bad. The locker plant will age as long as I wish and I assume at proper temperature (they are a USDA plant).  This is the first time we are trying this, I just did not know if the "aging" is worth the hassle. Sounds like it is. We'll try the 21 day approach.

We have taken good care of this herd and know what has been fed. For what you'd get at the sale barn for one cow + transport it looks like some home grown hamburger makes better use of a good animal but one I want to cull. We can certainly make good use of 400 lb of hamburger.

Chad, I appreciate the offer - let's get a cup of coffee when I am passing through Brookings. We can swap strip till and cattle ideas. We've also got a new setup for your 20" Bauer bar.

Thanks for the replies.

Jim at Dawn