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8375 Freeland  Avenue SW Byron Center, MI   49315  Phone (616) 878-1578 Fax (616) 878-9833

  

click here to see our processing crew in action

Care to review some of the information from the 2012 producers seminar? Click on the links below.

2012 Producers meeting marketing claims slide 

Freezer Beef Pricing Example 3-2012 Byron Center

The Beef Conversation Producer Day3.24.12

About Byron Center Meats

 Byron Center Meats has been custom processing for 66 years.Our plant is inspected daily by a

USDA inspector.In May 2009 we opened a new modern processing plant and retail store to serve

you better.We have a fulltime QA Manager.Recent outside company audits on food safety

procedures and our HACCP plan scored 94% and higher.Daily swab testing is conducted on

equipment and tables.Our facility temperatures are monitored with an alarm system and recorded 24

hours a day.We have an excellent staff of experienced cutters, packagers and administrators.We

package using roll stock machines (not bags) for high quality vacuum-sealed and quick frozen

products.Many smoking and sausage options are available including nitrate-free and MSG-

free.Multiple size choices for ground beef patties are available including loose pack formulation.We

offer many harvest options.  Go to our website at byroncentermeats.com for a list.In 2009 we

processed more than 300 deer with total separation of processing and packaging.We expanded our

hours to 7am to 6pm on weekdays and 7am to 3pm on Saturdays to better serve you.Our website

provides useful information for you and your customers.  Check it out at byroncentermeats.com.  

Building Your Brand

 Studies show the #1 thing consumers want to know is where did the meat come from.  They want to

know who the farmer is, how the animal was raised, and that they are supporting a local economy. 

They want to feel good about the meat “from the farm to the fork.” You are the best promoter of your

own product.  You control the feed, monitor the health and raise the animal.  Selling points to

highlight include: your product being local, natural, being fed a vegetarian diet, humanely handled,

antibiotic free, growth hormone free, grass fed, being a specific breed, etc.  Pick the things that are

true for you and get the word out.  Are you willing to guarantee the quality?  Tell them that. Consider

encouraging your customers or potential customers to visit your farm and have them pick out their

own animal.  Consider having potential customers talk with current customers for a good

referral. Refer customers or potential customers to our website at byroncentermeats.com for

downloadable processing guides that they can look at before they give their customized

instructions.  Tours of Byron Center Meats are available on request. We are offering a new payment

plan to help you receive prompt payment by letting your customers use their debit or credit card. 

Your customer can pay their meat bill (due to you) and their processing fees (due to us) using their

credit or debit card. We will process their payment and write a check to you for the amount owed

minus the bank processing fees.       Consider labeling product with your farm information as a good

marketing tool.  For around $700.00 you could get 60 rolls (45,000 Labels).  One beef processed

equals about one half of a roll of labels. Think differently about your revenue stream.  The following

chart shows

different marketing options for actual product that we processed from local producers.  Numbers will

vary based on product quality and customized cutting instructions.  This comparison was done on

typical market beef and pork processed into standard cuts at 3/23/11 live market prices (Wayland

Auction).  Beef/Pork Marketing Options (Based on actual product using standard cuts at

3/23/11 live market prices) 

Beef/Pork Marketing Options (Based on actual product using standard cuts at 3/23/11 live market prices)
Beef
Live Weight 1/8’s  ½’s and Split ½’s Individual Retail Cuts
  700# hanging average   Individuals/On Farm
1200# $ 260.00 each           700# Online
$1.12 Net after processing costs $2.30 Farmers Market
$1344.00 $1,645.00 $1,525.00 $1,879.00
Baseline 22% Increase over baseline 13% Increase over baseline 40% Increase over baseline
Pork 
Live Weight Hanging Whole or 1/2’s Individual Retail Cuts
    Individuals/On Farm
270# 196# Online
$0.59 $1.25 Farmers Markets
$159.30 $ 245.00 $ 280.37
Baseline 53% Increase over baseline 76% Increase over baseline

   

Harvesting Options

Inspected Animals                                                Not For Sale Animals                                    Inspected by a vet before harvested                    Farm kill means no live trucking                      Harvested at USDA inspected plant                     No trucking means less stress on animal                   Swab tested at kill floor                                        Has to be sold Before animal is Harvested                Receive a “legend” (USDA stamp or “bug”)        Can not be sold as pieces or donated                        With “legend” it has more selling options                                                                                                Can be packaged and sold in pieces or traditional ½’s, 1/4's, or 1/8's                                             Can be sold online, at farmer markets or to restaurant

Can be donated

 

8375 Freeland Avenue SW Byron Center, MI 49315 * 616-878-1578