The NFC B-Day Chat Thread

[Nomadicus]

We had a cow processed and picked it up today. OMG was that expensive. It was $3700 for the cow and processing. We got just about 500 lbs of meat. We weighed it as we were putting it in the freezer since it wasn’t broken down on paper. There must be a lot of waste with fat and bone. I know we pay more because it’s vacuum sealed, but holy smokes! We had the same place last year and they did a great job. We are giving the boys 1/4 cow each for Christmas.

Depending on breed and other factors meat in the freezer was about 50% of hoof weight. A 1000lb steer would dress out 500lbs usable beef. A 1000lb steer's hanging weight would be about 650lb. From there it gets interesting as some breeds could have so much internal fat around the organs and another extra 1" around the outside of the carcass. I don't remember the year it started but not only was there the live cattle judging at county and state fairs for the FFA and 4H kids but also a carcass judging contest too. All of a sudden the judges had to get smart when judging the live cattle who would also go into the carcass event. The waste factor became most important to breeders who were selling bulls that could throw calves going to be fed out having the best red meat efficiency. This would parallel the Cornish Cross broilers that were introduced a couple of decades earlier.

You are most right about there being a lot of waste during processing especially if over fattened. I worked as a teen behind the meat counter of a local market and saw both quarters and sides being broken down on the old maple wood blocks. One thing you got that is so much better than store bought beef is that yours was dry aged. Supermarket beef is aged in a solution of some kind and it is not the beef that we had before they started the new way to save labor costs.

 

[DigMyChicks]

Depending on breed and other factors meat in the freezer was about 50% of hoof weight. A 1000lb steer would dress out 500lbs usable beef. A 1000lb steer's hanging weight would be about 650lb. From there it gets interesting as some breeds could have so much internal fat around the organs and another extra 1" around the outside of the carcass. I don't remember the year it started but not only was there the live cattle judging at county and state fairs for the FFA and 4H kids but also a carcass judging contest too. All of a sudden the judges had to get smart when judging the live cattle who would also go into the carcass event. The waste factor became most important to breeders who were selling bulls that could throw calves going to be fed out having the best red meat efficiency. This would parallel the Cornish Cross broilers that were introduced a couple of decades earlier.

You are most right about there being a lot of waste during processing especially if over fattened. I worked as a teen behind the meat counter of a local market and saw both quarters and sides being broken down on the old maple wood blocks. One thing you got that is so much better than store bought beef is that yours was dry aged. Supermarket beef is aged in a solution of some kind and it is not the beef that we had before they started the new way to save labor costs.

Thanks for the info! I think the hanging weight was 893 lbs. I assume that’s after it’s been skinned and gutted? Last years cow hung for 2 weeks. I don’t think it was 10 days this time. The hamburger was awesome on our last cow. Most times it doesn’t want to hold together as the meat is too wet.

 

[Nomadicus]

Thanks for the info! I think the hanging weight was 893 lbs. I assume that’s after it’s been skinned and gutted? Last years cow hung for 2 weeks. I don’t think it was 10 days this time. The hamburger was awesome on our last cow. Most times it doesn’t want to hold together as the meat is too wet.

10 days is what we always asked for aging. Some go to 21 days and I think it then tastes like liver instead of beef. When I get sobered up from meds I'll run some numbers based on 893 hanging weight. I like to tinker with formulas and spreadsheets. Taking 4 hydrocodones a day now is messing with me. Until the bones fuse back together I got to watch what I post. Typos are a real problem when you think one thing and your fingers type something else.

 

[igorsMistress]

A couple of hours later she sent me this picture View attachment 3681342 She hit a buck just as she came down off the mountain. She's fine, but the same can't be said for her vehicle.

So glad she’s ok!

 

[DigMyChicks]

10 days is what we always asked for aging. Some go to 21 days and I think it then tastes like liver instead of beef. When I get sobered up from meds I'll run some numbers based on 893 hanging weight. I like to tinker with formulas and spreadsheets. Taking 4 hydrocodones a day now is messing with me. Until the bones fuse back together I got to watch what I post. Typos are a real problem when you think one thing and your fingers type something else.

Sounds good!
I cracked a rib when I had Covid. It took about 6 weeks for it to heal. It was extremely painful. I can’t imagine breaking them.

 

[janiedoe]

It’s $800 more then last year and I thought that was bad. I’ll get over it.

Last year it would have been bad. This year it sounds like a fair price. It's 7.40 per lb vs 6.40 per lb, a little over 15% increase, so that seems about right for our current economy.

 

[janiedoe]

Yes, the weather is fairly nice, chilly in the morning but that's okay

Hi Janie, I'm okay I guess, busy getting rid of tons of stuff and have the bruises to show for it . I'm donating all my books to head start since I don't have a use for them anymore. Clothes and anything else not needed are going to whoever wants them. Thank you for asking

It sounds like a lot of work. I wish I were nearby. You need someone to spell you occasionally, so you can rest.

 

[DigMyChicks]

Last year it would have been bad. This year it sounds like a fair price. It's 7.40 per lb vs 6.40 per lb, a little over 15% increase, so that seems about right for our current economy.

I don’t like our current economy.

 

[DigMyChicks]

Good morning all.

 

[janiedoe]

I don’t like our current economy.

Good morning, DMC.
This economy sucks.