Small-scale livestock production is a good fit for many farms in the Four Corners Region, because small farms often have land that is best suited for grazing, rather than raising high value crops. When the demand for meat from heritage breed animals is added to the equation, it makes sense for small farmers to add livestock to their operations. However, in order to benefit from higher prices that direct sales of meat to consumers and restaurants brings, producers must have their animals slaughtered at facilities that provide state or federal inspection.
The limited number of custom slaughterhouses that offer inspection services are a challenge for small scale livestock producers both here in the Four Corners Region, and in most of the U.S.