Owasco Meat Company, Inc.

Owasco Meat Company, Inc. operates at 61 Oak Hill Rd in Moravia, Cayuga County, New York, under USDA FSIS establishment numbers M4532 and P4532. The federal record lists meat slaughter, meat processing, and poultry processing activities, with cattle, hogs, and sheep and lamb reported as species slaughtered under inspection. FSIS classifies the plant as very small and places its slaughter volume in category 1.0, meaning under 1,000 head per year. The grant of inspection date on file is December 18, 2024. The plant also reports custom-exempt slaughter, where animals owned by the customer are processed and packages are marked Not for Sale, and reports retail-exempt sales.

The company describes itself as a locally owned and operated slaughterhouse and meat processing plant that works with local producers to move their products into the food supply chain. Its website states that in 1974 Larry Brannon, along with his father, Warren, and his brother, Dennis, purchased the slaughterhouse so the local community would keep access to fresh meat, and that Larry still guides the next generation at the business. The site notes the facility does custom slaughter and packing of beef and pork under USDA inspection.

A retail store operates onsite, selling the company's own fresh chicken, beef, pork, sausages, and bacon along with other products. The website also advertises seafood, a published price sheet, online ordering with pickup, and a meat CSA program. Listed hours are Monday through Friday 7AM to 4PM and Saturdays 8AM to 12PM. Nothing here should be read as confirmation that the plant is currently accepting new work; schedules should be confirmed directly.

The plant offers custom slaughter and butchering for farmers and producers, with appointments requested through the website and a downloadable price list. Posted beef and adult cattle dressing fees run $120.00 for animals 600 pounds and up, $135.00 for 500 to 599 pounds, $145.00 for 400 to 499 pounds, and $155.00 for under 400 pounds, with cut, wrap, and freeze at $1.00 to $1.30 per pound for standard cuts, higher rates of $1.20 to $1.65 per pound for split cuts, boneless cuts, extra stew, single packages, liver, heart and tongue, or specialty cuts, and patty making at $1.45 per pound. Veal or calf under 350 pounds is listed at $180.00 dressed with cut, wrap, and freeze at $1.70 per pound. Pork dressing is $60.00 for a market hog and $90.00 for hogs 300 pounds and up, with cut, wrap, and freeze at $1.00 per pound standard or $1.25 per pound specialty, sausage making $1.35 per pound, patty making $1.45 per pound, rope making $0.75 per pound, and cure and smoke with cut, wrap, freeze, labeled and vacuum sealed at $2.80 per pound. Lamb or goat is listed at $55.00 dressed with cut, wrap, freeze at $200.00. All are subject to an 8 percent processing tax, prices are subject to change without notice, and tax exempt customers are directed to ask for form ST-125. Cancellations require 72 hours notice or a fee of $30 for a pig and $75 for cattle. Meat must be picked up within 7 days of the ready call unless arranged in advance, with a $5 per day charge after that, and processing errors must be reported within 10 days. The plant is very small by FSIS classification and reports under 1,000 head of slaughter per year, so capacity should be confirmed before hauling.

Owasco Meat Company, Inc. 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.

A retail shop operates at the Moravia location, selling the company's own fresh chicken, beef, pork, sausages, and bacon along with other products, plus beef, pork, chicken, and seafood in cuts and roasts. A price sheet is published on the website. Orders can be placed online for pickup: orders placed before 12 noon are ready after 1PM the same day, orders placed after 12PM are ready at 7AM the following day, and orders are held for 3 business days unless other arrangements are made. The company also runs a meat CSA with small and large boxes on a monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly basis, each including a selection of local beef, pork, and chicken. Delivery or shipping is 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.