Why On Site Slaughter Matters
Pherdinand, the bull
It all started when…
As a farmer with a small herd of Scottish Highland Cattle, providing nutritious food for my family was always a dream of mine. Highlands are primarily a beef breed, and I had intentions of utilizing them in such a manner. They are hardy and possess personality in spades. I chose the grass fed, organic as humanely possible raising method and have cared for them in such a way to ensure that they have “one bad day.” Their well being was of utmost importance to me.
When I come to your farm, I will treat your animals as I would want my animals treated; with the dignity and compassion they deserve.
As my calves turned into yearlings, and my yearlings eventually grew to optimal beef size, I made plans to harvest one of them. I called a processing facility that summer to make an appointment for the fall and was at first pleased that I could get an appointment for late September. My pleasure was short lived when I learned that it was for late September of the following year. Not knowing the condition of my animal a year into the future, I cancelled my date.
I come to you when you know your animals will be in your desired, optimal condition.
If I was able to foresee the future, and know that my animal would be in harvest condition a year ahead of time, I would have gone through the following steps to bring it to the processing facility:
Step 1: The Trailer
I cannot justify the cost of buying a livestock trailer to use once a year. I am unlucky in no longer knowing anyone who owns a livestock trailer. I would be forced to borrow, or more likely rent, a trailer from a stranger and we all know that if the equipment is going to break, it always seems to break when someone else is using it. This is not a comfortable option.
Step 2: Loading
Most of my animals have never been anywhere other than our farm. Other than crossing our driveway, they have never stepped foot on anything but grass or snow. I have been fortunate to sell all of the calves as yearlings and the new owners have always picked them up in a variety of livestock trailers. Other than the occasional escapee, loading my cattle on a trailer is the most stressful ordeal I (we) undergo. They have never seen a trailer. They certainly have never stepped foot in an all metal box that smells strange. They never just walk in. It usually involves shoving, sweating, and ropes. I don’t like it and they give me every indication that they do not either.
Step 3: The Drive
The name of our farm is Nomad Farms. The members of my original herd were accustomed to trailers. We originally owned a home with two acres of converted lawn which was fine for my original two cows. As my two became four and four became six, I ran out of grazable pasture and was forced to rely on friends who needed their fields grazed. So we moved (nomadically) from farm to farm. I don’t like driving trailer loads of living creatures on Maine roads. They are winding, hilly, bumpy, and lean to the ditch. I’m not sure who was stressed out more by the rides.
We now live in Fayette and are fortunate to live 30 minutes from the nearest processing facility. I know how fortunate I am for this. Most small farmers are not so lucky and much longer distances on our Maine roads are more typical.
The services I offer will solve the problems in the steps outlined above. Your animals will be harvested in the least stressful setting possible. Other than my presence, everything will be familiar. They will be at home.
You won’t…
need a livestock trailer.
load your animals into the trailer.
drive ANY distance over Maine roads.
unload your animals.
YouR animals won’t…
encounter the stress of loading.
ride in a trailer over Maine roads.
arrive at a strange place away from their herdmates.
leave the farm.
BECAUSE I WILL…
come to you and your livestock on your farm.