BRIEF ITEM: January 29, 2008
Contact: Betsy Hodge, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 315-379-9192, 379-0607 (evenings)

Veteran Meat Cutter to Demonstrate Lamb Processing February 16 in Canton

On Saturday, February 16, Clif Cook of Heuvelton will demonstrate how to cut up a lamb carcass and will help North Country livestock producers learn the different cuts of meat and how to judge what percentage of a carcass is likely to produce various types of cuts. Cook has been a meat cutter for 30 years, has worked in supermarkets and slaughterhouses, and raises his own sheep.

Sheep and Goat Program Educator Betsy Hodge of Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County says, �This workshop will be valuable for livestock producers interested in direct marketing to consumers via freezer trade and farmers� markets. Clif Cook will help producers learn how to explain the value of the various cuts to consumers.�

The free workshop organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County with support from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program starts at 10 am at the Extension Learning Farm in Canton. Register with Extension at 315-379-9192 x234.

PRESS RELEASE: January 29, 2008
Contact: Betsy Hodge, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 315-379-9192, 379-0607 (evenings)

Veteran Meat Cutter to Demonstrate Lamb Processing February 16 in Canton

On Saturday, February 16, Clif Cook of Heuvelton will demonstrate how to cut a lamb carcass to help North Country livestock producers learn the different cuts of meat and how to judge what percentage of a carcass is likely to produce the various types of cuts. Cook has been a meat cutter for 30 years, has worked in supermarkets and slaughterhouses, and raises his own sheep.

Sheep and Goat Program Educator Betsy Hodge of Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County says, �This workshop will be valuable for livestock producers interested in direct marketing to consumers via freezer trade and farmers� markets. Clif Cook will help producers learn how to explain the value of the various cuts to consumers.�

Cook says, �Size affects the types of cuts, chops and steaks a carcass will produce and affects the prices producers can get for their meat. Existing local markets and the potential to develop new markets will also be an important part of our discussion. There are markets we need to develop so we can receive the highest dollar for our products and there are things we need to do as shepherds to create a uniform supply to meet consumer demand.�

Cook has sold his lamb via auction houses at Gouverneur, NY, and New Holland, PA; and through a local freezer trade, and Vermont Quality Meats. Cook, who has owned his own supermarket, believes the Northern New York grocery stores and farmers� markets offer opportunities for local producers and for consumers interested in �buying local.�

A resource that will be available to those attending the workshop is the Livestock Marketing Toolkit produced by Bernadette Logozar with funding from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program. The kit includes materials on processing and marketing for lamb, beef and pork producers.

Logozar, a rural and agricultural development specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County, says, �Interest in value-added livestock production is growing throughout the Northern New York region. According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture thirty-six percent of the farmers in the region are non-dairy livestock producers.�

Logozar says direct marketing opportunities � from freezer trade and farmers� markets to selling to restaurants and tourists � are underutilized in the region. The Livestock Marketing Toolkit helps producers identify and develop products to fit their target market audiences through such techniques as bundling different types of meat cuts for singles, couples and families.

Logozar says, �Producers must focus on quality, consistency and the quantity of livestock products that consumers want from Northern New York sources. This meat-cutting workshop will help farmers enhance their marketing skills and improve their bottom line.�

The free February 16 workshop organized by Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County with support from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program starts at 10 am at the Extension Learning Farm in Canton. Registration is requested, call Extension at 315-379-9192 x234. # # #