Eickman's Processing Co., Inc.

Eickman's Processing Co., Inc. operates at 3226 S. Pecatonica Rd. in Seward, Winnebago County, Illinois, under USDA FSIS establishment numbers M31776, P31776 and V31776. The federal record lists meat processing, meat slaughter, poultry processing, and voluntary meat slaughter and processing, with a grant of inspection date on file of August 16, 2021. FSIS classifies the plant as small and records slaughter of cattle, hogs, sheep and lamb, and bison, with a slaughter volume category of 2.0. No custom-exempt activity is reported to FSIS, and the plant reports retail-exempt sales.

The company's website describes family ownership and operation in Seward since 1953, with roots going back to 1943 when John Eickman, a depot agent, helped local farmers butcher livestock at their farms and later purchased the local creamery building. The site says multiple generations of the Eickman family have carried the business forward. Work described on the website includes custom cutting, wrapping, freezing, curing and smoking, plus a retail store and catering for gatherings and events. The website states that poultry and rabbits are not processed, while the federal record lists poultry processing among FSIS activities.

Species and product lines named on the website include beef, pork, lamb, venison, bison and elk. The site lists USDA inspected processing, HACCP food safety practices and Animal Welfare Approved certification under its standards, and says the company has received awards for products including bacon, ham, dried beef, summer sausage and specialty meats. Hours on the website are Monday through Friday 7am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8am to 12pm, as listed.

The website states that Eickman's works with local farms and takes custom orders for hogs, beef, lamb and venison by phone. Hog orders are available as whole or half, and beef orders as whole, half or quarter. Beef is described as dry aged two weeks. At ordering, customers choose steak thickness (between 1/2 inch and 2 inches, with 3/4 inch to 1 inch standard), roast size (2 to 4 pounds, 3 pounds standard), chops, bone-in or boneless cuts, single or double wrapping, and pieces per package. Cutting cards for beef and pork are posted on the site. Orders are sharp frozen overnight and customers are called when ready for pickup. Cured and smoked items such as bacon, ham, jerky and dried beef carry an extra charge, and smoked meat is usually ready about one month after cuts are completed, with the pickup date listed on the processing receipt. The site gives planning estimates: a whole hog around 265 pounds live, about 215 pounds hanging, about 145 pounds take-home; a whole beef around 1,300 pounds live, about 780 pounds hanging, about 460 pounds take-home. The website states poultry and rabbits are not processed. Specific prices, booking lead times and minimums are not stated in the sources. Note that no custom-exempt activity is reported to FSIS for this establishment.

Eickman's Processing Co., Inc. operates under a federal grant of inspection, so product from this plant can be sold anywhere in the United States, which matters if you sell online or across a state line. FSIS does not list a custom-exempt activity for this plant.

The website describes a retail store in Seward carrying cured meats, house-made sausage, steaks, chops, roasts, ground meat, frozen items, seasonings, snacks, cheese, farm-fresh eggs and store merchandise, with availability described as changing. Households can also place custom orders for whole or half hogs and whole, half or quarter beef by calling. For pickup, the site recommends bringing boxes, baskets or coolers, and notes no ice is needed because the meat is already frozen. Catering for gatherings and events is offered, with quotes by phone. Online ordering, delivery and shipping are not mentioned in the sources.

If you are buying a half or quarter animal, the plant is where the animal is processed; the farm sells you the animal. Read how to buy a half cow for the sequence and the math.