[preppermama]

I just wanted to comment that I think some of the excess meat being slaughtered has finally made it's way to Maine. In case some of you weren't aware, this summer there was a drought that caused corn and other crop shortages. As a result, prices increased and farms couldn't afford to feed their animals. Many were slaughtered as a result.

Anyhoew- I've been seeing special in-store specials for high end cuts of meat like strip steak and rib eye for $3.99 a pound, Boston butt roasts for .99 cents a pound, etc. This is more than 60% off retail in most cases.

I queried the meat department guys about what was going on and they told me their warehouses were flooded with certain cuts of meat right now and the people in charge were forcing extra meat on them with no real explanation as to why. He told me that they knew they would never be able to sell that much high end steak for the usual price of $11.99 a pound, so he had to severely discount it to move it. Needless to say, I filled my freezer for 60% off retail. This weeks big deal are large turkeys for $6 or $7 a piece. I bought 4 and may pick up a few more.

I'm excited for these deals, but am very fearful what this is going to mean once all this excess meat is sold. I suspect prices are going to skyrocket because there is less supply and increasing demand.

And just as a side note: I know we have some folks from down south on here who probably see better meat prices than what I just quoted. Up north, meat is more expensive because it's being shipped in from processing plants in other parts of the country.

 

[Leon]

No shit? I just picked me up an extra 200 a month to spend on preps, time to grab turkey day dinner early

 

[whoppo]

Always good to take advantage of deep discounts when you can... a full freezer is a happy freezer.
What part of Maine do you call home preppermama? We're in the Portland area.

 

[fedorthedog]

Dont forget meat can be canned

 

[preppermama]

Always good to take advantage of deep discounts when you can... a full freezer is a happy freezer.
What part of Maine do you call home preppermama? We're in the Portland area.

I live in mid-Maine. I get down to the Portland area once in awhile though. I was born and raised in Hollis.

 

[joec]

I haven't bought meat in a grocery store for over 5 years now. I have two local farmer that grow their on crops and slaughter a very limited number of pigs, cattle a year and the other chickens (Amish method) all grown naturally. I buy exclusively through them as it becomes available once or twice a year by whole animals. I find the quality better than the best meats found in main stream food stores.

 

[preppermama]

I can't afford that Joec, not the way my husband consumes meat. Buying a cow from a farmer is almost always more expensive than what I pay at my local store. Unfortunately, buying for quality is not something I am able to do these days.

Honestly, I only buy sale meat and the markdown meat because that's what we can afford as a family. I'm so bad that I know what time the meat guys put the yellow markdown stickers on stuff in the meat department. Some days I follow the guy down the aisle as he does it. LOL. We're on a first name basis with our meat department.

 

[whoppo]

Dont forget meat can be canned

We buy cases of canned meats from Brinkman's online. VERY good quality and a 3-5 year shelf life. Perfect for long motor home vacations as well as prepping.

 

[AquaHull]

I noticed that Strip Steak was $2.49 # for a whole loin

 

[joec]

I can't afford that Joec, not the way my husband consumes meat. Buying a cow from a farmer is almost always more expensive than what I pay at my local store. Unfortunately, buying for quality is not something I am able to do these days.

Honestly, I only buy sale meat and the markdown meat because that's what we can afford as a family. I'm so bad that I know what time the meat guys put the yellow markdown stickers on stuff in the meat department. Some days I follow the guy down the aisle as he does it. LOL. We're on a first name basis with our meat department.

I agree for most it is a bit expensive buying a 1/4, 1/2 or full cow/pig and will require some ability to butcher it. In my case it is cheaper than buying meat at say the local Walmart because I can butcher good enough to get the cuts right so no costs there. Also storage as it will require a freezer to keep till it can be cured for long term use. A single steer will feed a family of 2 for a year with a pig filling in the rest. This for heavy meat eaters which I was until I hit my 60's and noticed my taste for meats diminishing. I used to eat a 16 oz steak and not it is a 4 oz steak. My wife and I also eat 2 meals a day so age does affect diet also at least it has with us. Both my wife and I cook though and is one of my favorite things to do so we rotate, one night her, next me.

 

[nadja]

I have a very good friend in Okla. that is a farmer. That is , he grows a few hundred acres of wheat, alfalfa and then a few thousand acres of cow's. He is currently running close to 700 head of cattle, and plans to buy even more. Since there was a bad draught this year and last year, he decided to not sell any alfalfa and instead , keep it in is barn for his own cattle. Last year , he was one of many that had to sell his cows on the cheap for lack of feed. So I will be able to get all the beef and wheat I need, simply driving over to Okla. But we do know what is happening with the draught.

He has talked in turn to friends of his over in Kansas and another one in Argentina. Kansas, no corn or other feed to be had, and in Argentina, more rain in the last two months then they normally get in a year, resulting in the ground to muddy to plant corn etc in.

Now, add O'Great one into the equation and you have the "perfect disaster" on the horizon

 

[Retronatrix]

Unfortunatly the beef abundance hasn't allowed us any cheaper prices around here, I don't know why. BUT.....if I'm willing to wait two or three days I'm usually able to snag some reduced managers specials for a good price. Was able to get a three pound flat of pork tenderloin rounds and pork "steak" for $1.80 a pound when they were both originally $11.95 a pound.

At that price it's not economical for us to buy a hog or cow, plus we've nowhere to store it. But you never know what's going to happen. I'm ready to can meat as soon as the prices lower again.

 

[shotlady]

thanks for the heads up! i scored some steaks for 10.99 a lb instead of 16.99 for rib eye! and i scored some chuck roast for thanksgiving day!