By Julie Boisvert and Joni Bales, VT Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets
In 2022, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets held an informational and Q&A virtual forum for those interested in on-farm slaughter or who had questions about it. The Agency’s Meat Inspection Chief Julie Boisvert conducted the session, addressing misconceptions and answering questions from attendees. One attendee took this virtual meeting as an opportunity to make a difference in Vermont.
That attendee, Connor Barnes, proposed an approach to on-farm slaughter where he would work directly with farmers to ensure humane treatment of the animals and to promote high standards. Chief Boisvert worked closely with Barnes to realize his vision, guiding him through many of the nuances and regulatory requirements of the Vermont meat and poultry industry. Working with the Agency’s Meat Inspection Program and authorized custom processors to alleviate the requirements that owners be present during the slaughter, this approach to on-farm slaughter maintains regulatory requirements throughout the slaughter process and meets a need in Vermont and New England for on-farm slaughter services. It is the work of the Agency’s Meat Inspection program to provide guidance and education for any and all new and existing businesses within the Meat and Poultry Industry.
Today, the business Barnes envisioned has taken root. New England Mobile Slaughter is a custom mobile livestock slaughter truck, able to operate in Vermont and other New England states, bringing a valuable service to Vermont farmers who want to have their livestock slaughtered on the farm in a clean and efficient way. Connor is in the process of expanding his New England-based business, and the Agency is pleased to introduce Connor to Vermont livestock owners and livestock processing business owners.
Barnes, who is originally from Connecticut, worked in Oregon for several years on a cattle ranch and a mobile slaughter unit. This experience was fundamental to his learning how to handle the animals professionally and humanely. He imagined bringing this service back to New England and built his business and his truck from the ground up. He started with a box truck that he outfitted with rails and a boom that rotates 360° so that it can be operated by one person. Since the carcasses hang inside the clean truck, they do not pick up dirt, debris, and fecal matter which leads to unsanitary conditions and pathogenic bacteria. This also means less time spent trimming, and less meat lost to the trimming process once the carcass reaches the Custom Processing plant. To construct his truck, he worked with repurposed materials and bartered his time in exchange for what he needed to buy. He worked for a slaughterhouse to buy welding on the truck. Barnes says it’s been very gratifying to see the puzzle pieces come together.
Barnes believes farmers will see the value and convenience of the slaughter unit coming to the farm, and not having to load and haul the animals for miles and miles. One of his favorite parts of the process is talking to the farmers, hearing what they have to say. Once the animals have been slaughtered, Connor will drive the carcasses to the Custom processor the owner has chosen to have them cut into the steaks, chops, and ground products they desire. Being a Custom Slaughterer licensed by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets Meat Inspection Program means that he must follow the same regulations as brick-and-mortar Custom Slaughterhouses.
While Barnes is currently based out of Connecticut, where he lives with his fiancé, he can serve a Vermont clientele under certain circumstances while he works to expand his business across New England. If an individual or group of Vermont farmers would like to schedule a slaughter appointment with New England Mobile Slaughter, there are prerequisites that must be met. A scheduled appointment must be made three weeks in advance, there must be a minimum of 10 pigs or 6 beef or 10 sheep scheduled for the appointment, and livestock owner(s) must have pre-identified and scheduled an appointment with a butcher who can process those carcasses. This enables Barnes to transport carcasses directly to the processing facility in a sanitary and efficient manner. He values the ability to truly reach out to farmers where they are located, and he doesn’t mind the time on the road and considers himself a bit of a connoisseur of gas station food. Barnes is also a history buff and loves snowboarding in the winter so he’s very happy to be back in the seasons of New England. Welcome home, Connor!
For more information on Connor and New Egland Mobile Slaughter, LLC - please visit the website found using this link. https://nemobileslaughter.com/