wev another year before we slaughter again, and then its only one beast.
it did cost over a £1000 to transport, slaughter and butcher 2 bullocks.
however the butcher did a fantastic job with cutting, vacuum packing and labelling with prices, cut and weight. and he hung them 2 weeks plus. very tender meat so we are very happy.
im used to butchering pigs but obviously a bullock is a lot bigger. it did cost us £650 for butchery though as he charged over £100 to make tons of sausages, which I don't remember asking for but maybe OH did without realising the cost implications. (argh as we have a sausage maker here). if I do butcher the next one, for home use only, I definitely will look at getting a refrigerated container so we can hang them at home and cut them at my own pace. I learnt the hard way by butchering a pig mid-summer at home - they go off quick and it takes ages. I have butchery tools already.
the meat is packaged in selling standard vacuum packs though we hadn't looked to sell any so its wasted on us a bit. but maybe we should sell some to recoup some money. hard decision as wev had an empty freezer for 2 yrs, and big family of 7 to feed and have waited 5 yrs to get some beef!! its very precious to us!!
the butcher did a fantastic job but id rather do it myself and have £650 in the bank. maybe?
we had 500kg (?) of boneless meat, which the butcher valued at £3500 if we sold it at his prices. interesting to know. I must have spent more than £3500 on the cattle since day 1 though, with livestock price and feed. just interesting to know.
he commented that they were fat so not sure how I can trim them back if they are out all year round??? and only fed in winter. however the fat will be used for soaps and dog feed so no problem to me.
for anyone who needs info - one of our bullocks was over-age as I couldn't get time off work this year to send him away on time. the abattoir charged £140 to be-bone him and the butcher charged 50p per kilo to butcher the boned carcuss.
he came from the abattoir in 4 vacuum-packed bags so it would have been easy for us to cut. and cheaper to diy even if I had took a week off work. I just couldn't have hung it.
also for anyone wondering - a bullock does fit in a chest freezer!
interesting though as its our first cattle to slaughter. next time il be organised to take the skins aswell - she says
thanks for your help xx