Walsh Packing Company

Walsh Packing Company operates at 7551 Pigeon Road in Pigeon, Michigan, in Huron County, under establishment numbers M10301, P10301, and V10301. The federal record lists meat processing, poultry processing, and voluntary processing and voluntary slaughter activities for meat, poultry, and rabbit, with a grant of inspection date on file of September 28, 2018. FSIS classes the plant as Very Small, and the plant reports both custom-exempt slaughter, in which animals owned by the customer are processed and packages are marked Not for Sale, and retail-exempt sales. Species detail is not reported to FSIS.

The business trades as Walsh Meat Packing. Its website describes a family history beginning in the 1930s, when Ed Walsh butchered meat at the General Store in Pinnebog. Paul and Maxine Walsh purchased the Pigeon business from Art Schumacher in 1969, slaughtering beef and hogs for local farmers and for a retail meat counter. Brian and Patrick Walsh bought the business from their parents in 1985 and focused on slaughter and wholesale sausage, later developing their own recipes. Brian and Kelli Walsh became owners in 1990, doing custom slaughtering and wholesale while gradually returning to retail meats. The site states that under owner Nick Walsh, beginning in 2017, the facility no longer slaughters animals and instead focuses on retail and wholesale distribution. Buyers should note that the federal record lists voluntary slaughter activities for meat, poultry, and rabbit and custom-exempt slaughter, while the website states slaughter has been discontinued at the facility; anyone needing slaughter should confirm directly by phone.

The website advertises specialty game meats and smoked turkey, along with bacon, summer sausage, snack sticks, jerky, breakfast sausage, and fresh cut steaks. It states that products are shown for viewing only and that online purchasing is not available, directing customers to call, email, or stop by. The site also states that ham served at Mancino's is produced at Walsh Packing, and that the business is a member of the Michigan Meat Association and the American Association of Meat Processors. Hours are not stated on the website text on file.

The federal record shows Walsh Packing Company reports custom-exempt slaughter, meaning animals owned by the customer are processed with packages marked Not for Sale, and FSIS lists voluntary slaughter activities for meat, poultry, and rabbit. The website, however, states that beginning in 2017 the facility no longer slaughters animals and has shifted toward retail and wholesale processing and distribution. Because of that difference, a farmer planning to haul livestock should call (989) 453-2961 to confirm what slaughter or carcass work is currently available. Booking procedures, minimums, fees, and cut and wrap terms are not stated in the sources on file. Deer hunters are referenced in customer reviews for sausage, pepper sticks, and jerky, and the website states the plant maximizes the yield from a field dressed animal.

Walsh Packing Company 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 website describes a retail selection including snack sticks, jerky, bacon, breakfast sausage, fresh cut steaks, pork chops, and specialty smoked turkey, and invites customers to call or stop by the Pigeon location to purchase. Products on the services page are listed for viewing only, and the site states that online purchasing is not available. There is no statement in the sources about halves and quarters, bundles, shipping, or delivery. Contact is by phone at (989) 453-2961 or email at walshpacking@yahoo.com.

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.