Processing Explained
From finishing to pickup — understand the full processing journey and the key terms you need to know.
The processing journey
From the farm to your freezer, here are the stages of processing an animal share.
Finishing
The animal reaches its target weight and finish on the farm's chosen feeding system — grass, grain, or a combination.
Reservation and share ownership
A buyer reserves a share of the animal and pays a deposit. Ownership of the share transfers to the buyer before processing.
Processor scheduling
The farmer schedules a processing date with their processor. The buyer is informed of the expected timeline.
Harvest
The animal is harvested at the processor facility according to applicable regulations and exemptions.
Hanging weight
The carcass is cleaned and weighed. This hanging weight is the basis for final pricing on most shares.
Cut sheet
The buyer completes a cut sheet specifying how they want the animal cut — which steaks, roasts, ground beef, and other cuts.
Aging (optional)
The carcass may be dry-aged or wet-aged for a period to enhance tenderness and flavor, depending on processor and buyer preference.
Cutting and packaging
The processor cuts, wraps, labels, and freezes the meat according to the cut sheet instructions.
Pickup
The buyer pays any remaining balance and picks up the packaged meat at the farm or processor.
Key terms
Processor
A facility that harvests and processes animals into cuts of meat. Processors may be custom-exempt or federally/state-inspected.
Inspected processor
A USDA or state-inspected facility. Meat processed at an inspected facility bears the federal or state inspection mark and can be sold as individual retail cuts.
Custom-exempt processor
A processor operating under a federal exemption that allows processing for the owner of the animal. Custom-exempt meat is intended for the owner's personal use and may not be resold.
Cut sheet
A form completed by the buyer that specifies how the animal should be cut — which steaks, roasts, ground beef, bone-in vs. boneless, packaging preferences, and other instructions for the processor.
Hanging weight
The weight of the carcass after harvest and initial cleaning, before cutting. This is the most common pricing basis for animal shares.
Custom-exempt vs. inspected
Custom-exempt
The buyer owns a share of the animal before processing. The processor harvests and cuts the animal for the owner. The meat is for personal use and may not be resold. Subject to state rules.
Inspected
The animal is processed under USDA or state inspection. The meat bears the inspection mark and can be sold as individual retail cuts. Available when farms offer inspected inventory.
Each Meatory listing clearly states its processing type. State eligibility rules are enforced per listing.
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