Plants for Culls

[ValueChainFX]

Cowman, we recently opened a small custom cutting shop for a producer. The idea was to show proof of delivery and put some of these producers’ animals through the shop. We have for the past two months been doing cutting tests and setting up programs that could be used for the primary producer, the story you tell of the cow above, is very very true. We have done the same with several bulls now and some cull cows. Also we have offered a select few customers, special cuts (basically cuts that have been trimmed or cut to meet the needs of the customer) and have found these customers to be totally open to paying for the extra effort. As the customer has said they may pay more up front, but their costs have been reduced since they use the products they buy! The only challenge we have is this small cutting facility has to rely on custom killing and we do not have the room or the time to cut for everyone. We have product coming from all over the province and outside interest for product as far away as Quebec. The shop has been open for a couple of months and has been a six-day a week operation with an average of I would guess about 10 hours a day! Processing fees are a scandal especially when much of the processing is not done the way it should be. Our customers have rightly pointed out that the product they are getting processed, once compared to the way we process shows much room for improvement! I am trying to point out the opportunity we have and not looking for more customers here. My suggestion is that if we begin to build a foundation built on a total system, we can put our product on a higher level than the "commodity product"! A commodity product to me is just the easiest way to push it down an assembly line!

[cakadu]

We have been working with a small processor for years now and he cuts our meat the way we want it done because it is filling custom orders for clients.

You don't really need to build new facilities and such, what could make this possible for others is to establish rapport and a good working relationship with your local processor. Granted, we can't go out of the province, but we don't want to at this point in time.

Having a market focus versus a production focus is what direct marketing is all about - filling orders for customers who are willing to pay you for your product and the extra effort that you put into it. The other thing that goes along with it is that the product has to be consistent. It doesn't do you much good to fill orders one time. Repeat business is what is important.

We know how we grow our product and what goes into it and based on that, our customers are willing to pay.

[cowman]

My neighbor says " Where is the crisis? Now I'm getting more for my product than I ever was before?" And this is a fact! Now mind you he has to get out and sell it! But the fact is every old cow sold is still making someone a lot of money! Maybe more money than ever before?
Valuechain knows this. And he has the right idea! We aren't all born salesmen like my neighbor or we don't have the time to do this!
GWF: I do understand your concern when you quote the figures where will all this beef go. The ugly fact is we have been over producing for an export market that is not going to be sustainable. About 25% of us are going to have to go! Sad but true.
I don't say that lightly or flippantly and Lord knows I'll probably be one of them! That's just how it is.

[cakadu]

Necessity is the mother of invention and this situation is no different. Actually, it probably has a silver lining for some folks like your neighbor cowman who may never have tried had he not been forced to do so by the current situation.

What helps to sell this idea are people like him who now see some benefit and success to it. Granted, we are not all cut out to do the leg work and selling, but you can work in small groups with people who can sell. It might not work for all of his production, but it gives another avenue and another income stream that wasn't necessarily there before.

That is what value-adding is about - finding the market and giving that market what it wants. You don't have to conquer the world - just rock your own!

[StrawBoss]

I have a few questions, are all these old cows tested for BSE and government inspected that these guys are peddling around the neighborhood? Just because he’s your friend, neighbor and a good guy doesn’t guarantee it’s safe --- but one could say we never tested in the good old days and we are still around. ( I suppose these old critters probably only were feed hay and grain, but how about mineral blocks?)

Value chain is all the meat you process for others government inspected before it inters your plant? I am sure it’s not tested for BSE or is it? ( I don’t want to be negative just curious ) Also any labour problems? I know in my small business it was a problem at times, especially when you had commitments and needed the people to work a few extra hours.

[cowman]

Strawboss: Of course it isn't tested for BSE. Just like that package of hamburger down at Safeway isn't tested for BSE. It was killed and processed in a provincially inspected slaughter house. I believe it is illegal to sell any beef that wasn't inspected in a licensed facility.
Apparently there was a guy selling beef out of a truck on highway #2 north of Red Deer last week. They reported he was doing a booming business!

[ValueChainFX]

Like anyone that sells product it must be inspected. But there are also requirements to handle SRM. Since most of the work we are doing is basically to set in place the foundation systems we have been able to manage the workload and don't have any labor hired. There is a possibility that we will be starting a training program shortly but that is being looked at with other priorities. The challenges in the industry have no simple solutions, we have just looked at what we can do and have set about doing it! Other plans are on the table and going through the system, but I must say I would rather make something happen than wait for something to happen.

Linda you are doing good in the direct marketing business and you go girl. However, this double edge sword can also challenge the foundations you work on. Examples are found every where, such as the guys that may be direct marketing without inspection (does this happen? You bet) also the guy that sells that excellent quality meat from the old cow and the consumer experience is not so good. Alberta may have doors open for direct marketing and done right with a consistent product, consistent delivery in a professional manner it is right on. However, our production in the province is more than we can direct market. Giving a primary producer the choices opening a Federal plant with the checks and balances to ensure a consistent product with assistance in entering a market (direct or other wise) makes sense. But you all have choices and if the direct market is working for you! Right on.

The suggestion on the table is to give the primary producers more choices and put in place a system that goes beyond our present regulations. Networking with supply chain participants and linking them together by assisting with the information gaps that we all know exist. Is this easy? No, but I feel it is essential if we are to build a sustainable industry that will work with primary producers directly and into the future.

[cowman]

Valuechain: Perhaps you could answer a couple of questions?
I assume all cattle are stil split with a splitting saw? The saw slices through the backbone and the spinal cord? The spinal cord to some degree is spread along the width of the cut?
Prions are extremely hard to disinfect? I heard one quote that no known disinfectant works? And that they can survive 1000 degrees for over an hour?
So if one animal has BSE then the next one down the line could become infected with the prion from the splitting saw?
I think, if this is true, then we need a test that can be done before the animal is even slaughtered? Perhaps have the results before the animal is even allowed to leave the farm/feedlot? This is where a blood test would really shine?

[ValueChainFX]

Cowman this would be the best bet, until we have such a test other methods must be looked at, I see some pretty innovative things happening to avoid the splitting through the spinal cord. But we just need to do the best we can with what we have. A test would help in the cases we know are the most risk 2 yrs and older!

[cowman]

And Valuechain a blood test would be viable for ALL animals BEFORE they leave the farm. There is such a test! The guy in Colorado? Why isn't this guy just being flooded with government help? Both money and speeding up the regulatory process? It is a scandal how our governments are not taking this seriously and continue to abdicate their responsibility!