Friesla Blog

Interested in starting a meat processing business? Explore our blog for industry info and stories of great Americans who are getting it done.

Butcher using bandsaw to portion beef into steaks.

The livestock harvest-to-package process can seem a little mysterious: an animal goes in, boxes of meat come out—but what does this look like inside a…

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Butchers fabricate and breakdown beef carcasses on polytop cutting tables in their Friesla Breaking Module.

USDA Launches $60M Meat & Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP IV) Grant Funding for Beef Processors

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has officially announced the availability of $60 million in grant funding for meat processors through Phase 4 of…

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The meat processing equipment, sanitization system, three basin sink, wall-mounted shelves, and ceiling-mounted evaporators in a Friesla Cut and Package Module.

SBA Manufacturing in America E2G Grant: Requirements, Eligibility & Application Steps

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced up to $50 million in funding through its Manufacturing in America Empower to Grow (E2G) Grant Initiative…

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Smiling MTX Beef butchers fabricate and breakdown beef carcasses on tables in their Friesla Cut & Package Module.

How to Start a Meat Processing Business

Starting a meat processing business takes more than a good idea and demand for local meat. You need to think through your business model, run…

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Why Mission, Vision, and Values Matter in a Meat Processing Business

Most people starting a meat processing business begin with equipment, inspection requirements, facility design, and product ideas. Those are critical steps, but the most successful…

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Butcher breaks down a beef carcass in the Cut and Package Module of a Friesla Meat Processing System.

Bear Mountain Beef 5 Years Later: From Startup to 1,000+ Head Per Year

A meat processor’s first year proves they can open their doors. Years two, three, four, and five prove whether the business can endure. This is…

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Worker at TriVan, Friesla's manufacturer, welds together pieces of steel to form the frame of a module as part of a Meat Processing System.

Why American Manufacturing—and Local Meat Processing—Matter More Than Ever

The United States was built on independence, self-reliance, and the pride of making things with our own hands.  So why are we outsourcing much of…

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USDA inspector performing an inspection on a hanging beef cow in a Mobile Harvest Trailer.

A Simple Guide to USDA Inspection for Independent Meat Processors

Getting started under USDA inspection is a significant step for an independent meat processing plant. It opens the door to interstate commerce, creates new opportunities…

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A Friesla team member taking photos of the ground meat coming out of a meat grinder in a Friesla Cut and Package Module.

How Meat Processors Can Use Social Media to Build Trust & Boost Sales

Direct-to-consumer meat, while still “niche,” is a growing part of the market. More buyers want to know where their meat comes from, how it was…

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Butcher pulling the kidney away from beef carcass fat.

How Meat Processors Can Use Education to Sell the Whole Carcass

A major challenge for meat processors is selling the whole carcass. Education is a secret weapon they can use to strengthen their approach. Both premium…

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Butcher filling out a beef cut sheet used for meat processing production.

Beef Cut Sheet Guide: Tips for Consumers & Processors

When you order bulk beef—whether a half, quarter, or whole animal—your processor will usually ask you to fill out a beef cut sheet. This order…

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