Processing, single batch vs bulk batch...

[Mike17L]

Did you know that many processors in the state do not keep deer meat seperate when they process? Single batch processors take the time and energy to keep your meat seperate from anyone else's. Bulk Batch processors mix meat from many deer to create their ground products. They may keep the backstraps seperate (or not) but what ever goes into the grind gets mixed, includes your deer, my deer, some guy's deer that gut shot his deer, a deer that wasn't found for 12 hours after it expired.

Anyway, vet your processor! If they allow you to order 5# of a single variety of any kind of sausage, know you are not getting your meat back. Single batch processors will have 20-25# batch minimums.

[Artos]

I age my deer & then grind myself...

[gingib]

Yep!

The problem is, do they have to answer and tell you honestly if you ask or how can you find out?

[scott1022]

I absolutely love processing my own deer. It's a great pass time and I truly enjoy the entire process from the shot to the table.

I'm very happy to know exactly where my deer meat has been and how it has been taken care of along the way.

[Bryan11]

The reason i started processing my own deer, but sometimes life gets in the way and i make sure i have at least one processor on hand that i trust in case i don't have the time to get it done in a timely manner.

[Strummer]

One of the many reasons I do my own .

[Mike17L]

Yep!

The problem is, do they have to answer and tell you honestly if you ask or how can you find out?

Ask them directly. Or ask if you can see the back. Or ask about product minimums. Depending on how they answer, you can usually figure it out.

[gingib]

I absolutely love processing my own deer. It's a great pass time and I truly enjoy the entire process from the shot to the table.

I'm very happy to know exactly where my deer meat has been and how it has been taken care of along the way.

The reason i started processing my own deer, but sometimes life gets in the way and i make sure i have at least one processor on hand that i trust in case i don't have the time to get it done in a timely manner.

I agree! I am off for 2.5 weeks around the holidays so usually freeze all mine and do one large batch around then.

Then obviously family sausage weekend in Feb/March where we make 100-150 lbs. for 2-3 of us

The only thing i have processed sometimes, is I will send 4 quarters to the processor to have them cut into jerky and grind the rest. Best $60 I spent

[Texas Grown]

Yep!

The problem is, do they have to answer and tell you honestly if you ask or how can you find out?

Just ask to see there set up. If they have a couple few people working individual critters, you'll probably get just your critter. But if they have processing broke down to individual jobs, like a saw person, a grind guy, a skining person, with just 2 or thee people on knives cuttingsteaks, you're probably getting mixed meat back.

The fish are biting and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!

[TxBowHntr]

Just ask to see there set up. If they have a couple few people working individual critters, you'll probably get just your critter. But if they have processing broke down to individual jobs, like a saw person, a grind guy, a skining person, with just 2 or thee people on knives cuttingsteaks, you're probably getting mixed meat back.

The fish are biting and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!

Most good processors will allow you to see their operation. If you are concerned, just ask them.

[Texas Grown]

Most good processors will allow you to see their operation. If you are concerned, just ask them.

I totally agree.

The fish are biting and there's hogs to be kill-t. Gotta go!