Fred's Meat and Processing

Fred's Meat and Processing operates at 26848 State Route 15 in Ashley, Illinois, in Washington County. The plant holds federal establishment numbers M64A and P64A and is listed with USDA FSIS for meat processing, meat slaughter, and poultry processing. Its grant of inspection on file is dated December 26, 2024, and FSIS classifies the plant in its small size category.

Under inspection, the establishment reports slaughtering cattle and hogs. FSIS places its slaughter volume in the lowest category, under 1,000 head per year. The plant also reports custom-exempt slaughter, meaning it processes animals owned by the customer with packages marked Not for Sale, and reports retail-exempt sales.

The establishment's own website carries little detail beyond an invitation to inquire about having a hog or beef processed, or about buying a beef or hog if the customer does not already have a farmer contact. A Facebook listing describes the business as family owned and operated and as a custom beef, pork, and deer processing plant. Hours, pricing, cut and wrap terms, and booking lead times are not on file.

The plant reports both federally inspected slaughter and custom-exempt slaughter to FSIS, so animals can be processed either for sale or for the owner's own use with packages marked Not for Sale. Species slaughtered under inspection are cattle and hogs, and FSIS lists poultry processing among the plant's activities. Slaughter volume falls in the lowest FSIS category, under 1,000 head per year, so capacity is limited. Booking procedures, minimums, scheduling lead time, kill day, hanging time, and cut and wrap fees are not stated in the sources on file. The website directs inquiries about having a hog or beef processed to the business directly at (618) 485-6782.

Fred's Meat and Processing reports custom-exempt slaughter to FSIS, which means it can process an animal a customer already owns (a whole, half, or share bought before slaughter) and return it in packages marked Not for Sale. Most small farms have one or two plants they book with, and the plant's calendar decides the delivery date.

The establishment reports retail-exempt sales to FSIS. Its website states that it takes inquiries from people wanting a beef or hog and can help buyers who do not already have a farmer in their contacts. Whether a retail counter, standing bundles, halves and quarters, delivery, or online ordering are offered is not stated in the sources on file.

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.