Today I am angry with the government (regulatory burdens)
And butchers/meat lockers (victims of gubmint regulations but greedy and inconsiderate also)
Since I no longer raise meat animals, I have purchased lamb from a neighbor and beef from a cousin. In both cases, these are grass fed, nearly organic or as natural and organic as possible without actual certification.
I have happily paid the moderately high prices of a family butcher/processor because they did an excellent job, have a surgically spotless facility, AND because they DRY AGE hanging meat for 3 weeks. They were (notice the past tense) the only shop in the half of the state where I live that would do that.
Lat year our 2 happy lambs were already for thier appointment, when we found out they were no longer doing lamb. The neighbor scheduled them with a couple others at a different locker. In on Wednesday, cut and wrapped on Thursday and please pick them up by Saturday.
The difference in the meat quality is significant and we have 2 lamb in the freezer to masticate on.
Now word comes from my cousin that our most excellent but moderately expensive locker is no longer taking beef! WTF! Seems they have grown the smoked bbq catering, and smoked product (jerky, sausage, cheeses, etc) and gift box side of the business SO much that now that can't spare the cooler space!
The small lockers have been closing all around for several years and getting more scarce and harder to deal with. They all complain about the government regs and cost of doing business. I'm going to have to start pricing some butcher equipment and a walk in cooler and do it myself. Maybe form some kind of coop (kind of a meat militia!)
If you ever have a really good pasturegrass fed and grain finished beef that has been dry aged and properly prepared, you will know my frustration.
Thanks for letting me vent.
