New York Farm Viability Institute Website Press Releases 

August 31, 2007
Contact: Rebecca Schuelke, public relations specialist
(315) 453-3823 extension 103
(315) 427-2714
rschuelke@nyfvi.org

Carcass evaluation workshops expands skills for meat livestock producers

Understanding when farm-raised live animals are ready for the meat market is the goal of a workshop planned for 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 15 at SUNY Cobleskill Meat Lab.

Obtaining high yields and quality meat from livestock, grazing technique, meat pricing, and processing information will be covered in the workshop, sponsored by the Northeast Livestock Processing Service Company.

The New York Farm Viability Institute, a farmer-led nonprofit organization that funds research to assist farmers in increasing profits, is providing assistance to the meat livestock project. Earlier this year, the Institute awarded $72,000 to an effort to assist livestock producers and processors in improving carcass yields, quality control in slaughter, meat cuts and packaging, balancing seasonality of the business and other obstacles to meat raising, direct sales and retail marketing.

The workshop features Dr. Darrell Emmick, a grazing specialist with USDA NRCS, discussing grazing management; Dr. Mike Baker with Cornell University evaluating beef, lamb, pig and goat carcass; meat pricing by Adele Hayes of Sap Bush Hollow Farm; and meat identification by Eric Shelly, manager of the SUNY meat lab.

The Northeast Livestock Processing Service Company was founded by the nonprofit Hudson Mohawk Resource Conservation and Development Council to address issues associated with farm-based meat processing. The Northeast Livestock Processing Service formed a limited liability corporation and is expanding its coverage area beyond the Hudson Valley region.

``Observing the physical characteristics that livestock take on as they approach readiness for market requires a trained eye. The ability to look at a live animal and know when it’s ready for slaughter to obtain optimum yield and eating quality is not only a skill but a necessary tool for successful marketing,’’ said Kathleen Harris, coordinator of the Northeast Livestock Processing Service.

For more information or to register, contact the Northeast Livestock Processing Service at (518) 673-5193 or nelpsc@frontiernet.net.  Cost is $25, or $20 for Northeast Livestock Processing Service members. Registration is due by Sept. 10.

New York Farm Viability Institute is an independent, farmer-led nonprofit organization that directs and funds farm-level research to increase profits, reduce costs and other barriers, create jobs and encourage practical innovation on the farm. The Institute is funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Visit www.nyfarmviability.org.