Processing, that's the gentle term I like to use referring to the inevitable trip that our animals make to the butcher, or to be even more proper and gentle, the Abattoir. I like to say that we raise our animals in such a pleasant and humane way that they have only 1 bad day. Admittedly, I poke fun at the verbiage trying to make this process more palatable for the meat-consuming public, but in reality, this is a very important step in our production process. We can do everything right through the life of the animal, but a bad "abattoir" can yield all our efforts in vain. In the state of Georgia, all meat must be processed by a USDA Inspected processor. Choosing that processor is a very important decision for us. We are willing to travel if necessary to have our animals processed by an abattoir that we trust and have a great relationship with. Thankfully we have a red-meat processor close by that is small and family-run. They handle our beef, pork, and lamb processing needs. Our relationship has been developing for around 15 years. They understand what we want, and we get a very consistent product from them. Chicken processing has been a challenge in the past, as I have even written about it here several times. Currently, we have the best chicken processing situation we've had in many years. The new Abattoir on the opposite side of Atlanta is doing a very good job for us and has been for two years. We continue to learn from each other and make small improvements as we go, but things are going well. Turkey processing is a little more of a challenge. We do have a Turkey processor that we really like. It is a small Amish processor in Kentucky. They do a great job, but did I mention they are in Kentucky? It is a six-hour trip one way, and the animals need to be there at 7 am. Let me tell you that makes for a long day. However, the quality we get from them is unmatched, and we are willing to do that after we put so much energy into raising these birds. This week I'll be taking 2 loads of turkeys to our Amish friends. Up there Monday night, back on Tuesday, Up there on Wednesday, back on Thursday. Y'all please pray for safe travels, and for the farm to operate smoothly while I'm gone. What we will eventually get back from the Amish is that beautiful centerpiece for your thanksgiving table that many of you have become so used to.
