Re: Cleaning organs: Results

[Guest guest]

Heidi,

How many lbs of meat do you expect to get from a whole longhorn? I have been

inquiring with a couple local natural ranchers, and I am debating on how much we

would need to last a year for just me and my DH. Did the farmer/killer have

much trouble with you being there and taking the organs and such? I raw feed my

pets as well...and would love to talk the processor into giving me what they

normally toss. Many local butchers are reluctant to do this due to regulations

and this and that. I have tried to get my hands on the dated items that they

toss but again, no go there. Regulations regulations.

Thanks

to buy a big chest freezer and look into buying

the whole steer.

[Guest guest]

>Heidi,

>How many lbs of meat do you expect to get from a whole longhorn? I have been

inquiring with a couple local natural ranchers, and I am debating on how much we

would need to last a year for just me and my DH.

The one I got yesterday was 1,000 lbs hanging weight. That is BIG for a Longhorn

though, and it was 7 years old. Usually you want them less than 2 years old, and

I think 600-700 lbs is more normal. You lose about 20% in processing, depending

on how much fat there is. This longhorn had zero fat on him, so we'll see what

comes out. Angus has a higher meat to bone ratio (and more fat) but I like

Longhorn better.

In this case, I'd guess we'll get 800 lbs of meat. Plus about 6 gallons of

tallow, kidneys, 15 lbs of liver, 8 lbs of spleen, a mess of lung and stomach

stuff (which I'm not sure I can use yet, or how to use it).

> Did the farmer/killer have much trouble with you being there and taking the

organs and such?

No, which surprised me. They said I should have brought a movie camera, because

I'd mentioned my husband wants to learn hunting.

> I raw feed my pets as well...and would love to talk the processor into giving

me what they normally toss. Many local butchers are reluctant to do this due to

regulations and this and that. I have tried to get my hands on the dated items

that they toss but again, no go there. Regulations regulations.

I asked them about that, and they said that the USDA places use all the innards

(or have folks they sell them to). The private places can't sell the innards

because of regulations. But if you buy a cow and have it butchered, it is YOUR

cow and your risk. The farmer did say that if the killer had found something

like liver flukes, he would not have let me take the liver.

I am amazed at the amount they throw out. I think it was basically two full

garbage cans worth. I took home one can's worth, more or less.

-- Heidi

[Guest guest]

In this case, I'd guess we'll get 800 lbs of meat. Plus about 6 gallons of

tallow, kidneys, 15 lbs of liver, 8 lbs of spleen, a mess of lung and stomach

stuff (which I'm not sure I can use yet, or how to use it). - Heidi

==> So how long do you think it will take you to eat all that?

Filippa

[Guest guest]

> In this case, I'd guess we'll get 800 lbs of meat. Plus about 6

gallons of tallow, kidneys, 15 lbs of liver, 8 lbs of spleen, a mess

of lung and stomach stuff (which I'm not sure I can use yet, or how

to use it).

My dogs absolutely love tripe and so do many other dogs I know. If

you have a dog, this might be an alternative to tossing it out.

[Guest guest]

>

>In this case, I'd guess we'll get 800 lbs of meat. Plus about 6 gallons of

tallow, kidneys, 15 lbs of liver, 8 lbs of spleen, a mess of lung and stomach

stuff (which I'm not sure I can use yet, or how to use it). - Heidi

>

>==> So how long do you think it will take you to eat all that?

>

>Filippa

About a year -- we've been getting half a steer every six months. However,

I feed 5 people. I figure we use a lb of beef a day (about 4 oz per person,

so actually it's more like a lb and a half). I don't think I'll keep all 800 lbs

on this one, I don't have room for it, but some of the rest of the " clan "

will want it. Also I'm more into jerky now, and jerky takes a LOT of

beef.

-- Heidi

[Guest guest]

>My dogs absolutely love tripe and so do many other dogs I know. If

>you have a dog, this might be an alternative to tossing it out.

>

>

So does yours smell rather, er, strong?

Does that matter to the dog?

-- Heidi

[Guest guest]

> So does yours smell rather, er, strong?

> Does that matter to the dog?

>

> -- Heidi

The stuff I get is from grass-fed cows and lamb and smells like

manure. It's a rather strong odor, but for some reason I don't mind

the smell - reminds me of being on a friend's farm when I was a kid.

Some of my friends just about pass out when they feed it to their

animals. When I have it thawing in the sink, the dogs seem to hover

around the kitchen a lot. The dogs eat it quickly anyway, so the

smell is over fairly quick. Good luck!