Do I need a USDA license?

[CPLReed]

Hello, I am wondering if I need a USDA license/certification to breed and sell cattle for meat and milk? and if so, how do I become certified?

thank you

[piedmontese]

not in ks u dont.

[CPLReed]

Sorry, guess I should have posted my location. I'm in northern California.

[upfrombottom]

In Arkansas you dont either. Where you will get in trouble is if you are the one doing the processing of the meat. You may have to have your processing and storage facilities inspected and licensed by the Health Dept.

[CPLReed]

Do you know what kind of 'station' I would need to be certified if I processed it myself?

[slick4591]

If you are selling on the hoof then the answer is no. If you are having the animal processed for resale then you must get it USDA inspected. Our state would also require you to hold a manufacturing permit. Processing it yourself would require a USDA inspector to be on premises.

[CPLReed]

So every time I processed I would need a USDA inspector present?

[slick4591]

Yep, and I'd give them a call to find out the requirements.

[tsmaxx47]

ask around and find out the particulars from other people in your state. some how with the state of calif. involved there's got to be alot more to it, but the people involved in that type of operation would be familiar with the what you are asking....

[Dave]

Here to selling hanging meat cut down to quarters does not require inspection by the USDA. Selling meat that is processed down to single piece or to sell to restraunts requires USDA inspection. Just to raise it and have it processed by someone else requires no license.

[HDRider]

In Arkansas you dont either. Where you will get in trouble is if you are the one doing the processing of the meat. You may have to have your processing and storage facilities inspected and licensed by the Health Dept.

Can you tell me where any USDA sites are in Arkansas that I could use? Most are only doing their own work, big company places. Thanks

[HDRider]

So every time I processed I would need a USDA inspector present?

This might help: This came to me from the USDA.

Here is the online list of all federally inspected establishments:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Regulations_&_ ... /index.asp

If you download the Excel version (XLS) you can sort the file by state to help you filter your choices. Also, the "Activities" column is the column that I was talking about with you on the phone - this column will tell you if the establishment slaughters animals. Also, if you look at the establishment number, you will see some numbers with an M in front, some with a P, and some with both an M and P. M stands for Meat, P for Poultry, FYI.

Here is a link to the mobile slaughter section of the NMPAN (Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network) website that I gave to you over the phone today: http://www.nichemeatprocessing.org
As I mentioned earlier FSIS does not keep a formal list of mobile units; you will find mobile units listed amongst all other inspected establishments in the FSIS directory of all plants. However, the NMPAN website does have an unofficial listing of mobile units, including some background information and contact info.

Here is the link to the online 9 CFR, Code of Federal Regulations:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wais ... 1.html#301