I hope I can have a mini processing facility with a walk in someday. A guy I just did a job for has a nice setup with a rail system between the fridge and the cut room, commercial grinder, and a huge smoker. Plus he always has 5-6 pigs in their own paddock/barn so he has a supply of pork on hand. If I could break away from my job and study a trade right now it would be butchering. I asked the local small packer if I could apprentice under him on weekends even for free and he’s a bit of a gruff old bastard. He said he’s about to retire and just doesn’t want to be bothered lol. One of his best former employees is this little old lady I also do jobs for. She’s about 90lb and this guy says she can have a cow from on the hoof to hanging in halves faster than he can. I just think it’s a great skill to have. I can do simple separation of muscle groups, roasts, chops and steaks but it’d be nice to know how to do all of the cuts and be quick at it.
Sounds like you should continue to pursue that. butchering is a great skill, (especially in this economy) I’d also love to get better. Pros are indeed much quicker & cleaner with their cuts than I am