CUSTOM PROCESSING

CERTIFIED HUMANE HANDLING & USDA INSPECTED FACILITY

Homestead Meats is committed to handling your animals with the utmost of care. We are a certified humane handling facility meaning that the Food Safety Inspection Service inspects our corrals, equipment, flooring, water continuously to ensure that all animals are well taken care of.

THE HIGHEST QUALITY

The folks at Homestead Meats have been processing meat animals in the North Fork Valley for over 20 years. We understand that you have invested a great deal of time and money in these animals. Our goal is to ensure that you get the most satisfaction from this investment. With that goal in mind we have:

Full-time USDA Inspection
Qualified, Knowledgeable Staff
Documented Sanitation and Food Safety Program
14 day aging (on the rail)
Proven tracking system (you’ll always get your meat)
Highest Animal Welfare Rating

BEEF PROCESSING

Beef Harvest Fee, $70
Beef Processing Fee, $0.90/lbs. (hanging weight)
Beef cutting Instruction Worksheet

PORK PROCESSING

Pork Harvest Fee, $60
Pork Processing Fee, $0.90/lbs. (hanging weight)
Curing Hams and Bacon, $1.75/lbs.
Pork Cutting Instructions Form

LAMB PROCESSING

Lamb Harvest and Processing, $155 per head
Lamb Cutting Instructions Form

Please schedule you processing appointments as early as possible. This will ensure that we can harvest your animals when they are ready.

1,330,671

Pounds of Meat Processed in 2020

Highly Qualified Staff Working Everyday

Years in Business

TIPS ON FEEDING A BEEF FOR THE FREEZER

First Things First – Have You Got the Facilities to Raise a Feeder Beef?

Start by evaluating your facilities at home for raising and feeding a beef animal. Feeder animals need plenty of room to exercise for improved health. Make sure all fences and gates are secure and won’t fall down. Feed bunks should also be in good repair (don’t feed hay and grain on the ground), and clean water must be available at all times.

Next, Select Your Calf

Select a calf that is at least six months old (choosing an older calf is also acceptable). Consider the frame size of the calf . Calves with larger frames typically take a little more time and feed to “finish.” Determine initial weight by weighing the calf on a scale or refer to the sale ticket.

Feed Your Feeder Right

Beef convert six pounds of feed into one pound of gain. When your animal is on full feed, it will gain 2.5 pounds per day; therefore, your animal needs to eat 15 pounds of feed per day to gain 2.5 pounds. Your animal will eat approximately 450 pounds of feed per month. Start calves on one pound of grain (typically corn) per head per day, and free choice grass hay. Increase grain by one pound per head per day every three to four days. Feed your calf at the same time each day. It is best to feed twice a day (morning and night), and split the grain equally between the feedings. Clear uneaten feed from feed bunk before the next feeding to avoid dusty, moldy or spoiled feed.

Approximate Feeding Chart

Calf Approximate feed amounts (after initial start-up ration)

Weight          Grain          Grass Hay
600 lbs. 10 -12 lbs.      3 – 4 lbs.
700 lbs. 12 -14 lbs.      4 – 5 lbs.
800 lbs. 14 -16 lbs       4 – 5 lbs.
900 lbs. 16 -18 lbs.      5 – 6 lbs.
1000 lbs. 18 -20 lbs.      5 – 6 lbs.
1100 lbs. 20 -22 lbs.      5 – 6 lbs.
1200 lbs. 22 -24 lbs.      5 – 6 lbs.

Good Processing Means Good Eatin’

When your animal weighs between 1100 and 1300 pounds (depending on its frame size), it’s ready for processing. Be sure to contact us early to book your processing appointment!

Still Got Questions?

Any questions on rations, feeding, or the care of your meat animal, contact the Colorado State University’s Cooperative Extension Office at (970) 874-2195.