A Cut Above Processing & Meat Market

A Cut Above Processing & Meat Market A Cut Above Processing & Meat Market is a new, family-owned 6,000 sq. ft. livestock processing facil

Labor Day seems like an appropriate time to recognize all the work behind every package of locally raised and processed ...
09/07/2026

Labor Day seems like an appropriate time to recognize all the work behind every package of locally raised and processed meat.

Long before an animal ever arrives at our plant, a farmer has invested months—or even years—raising it. That means feeding, checking livestock, maintaining fences and pastures, working through heat, rain and cold, caring for sick animals, assisting with births and making countless daily decisions that most consumers never see.

Once the animal arrives here, another stage of work begins: scheduling, paperwork, slaughter, USDA inspection when applicable, chilling, aging, reviewing cut sheets, cutting, deboning, grinding, seasoning, packaging, labeling, freezing and sanitation throughout every step.

From the farmer who raises the animal to the processor who prepares the meat, there is a great deal of time, skill and physical labor involved.

This Labor Day, we’re thankful for our local producers, our customers and everyone who works to keep locally raised meat on local tables.

Saturday retail reminder!Our retail market will be open tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Stop by and see what we ...
09/04/2026

Saturday retail reminder!

Our retail market will be open tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Stop by and see what we have available for your Labor Day weekend meals, grilling or stocking the freezer.

Inventory varies, and all items are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

We look forward to seeing everyone Saturday!

Winter may not feel very close yet, but our processing calendar says otherwise!Our late-fall and winter processing dates...
09/03/2026

Winter may not feel very close yet, but our processing calendar says otherwise!

Our late-fall and winter processing dates are filling quickly. If you have cattle or hogs you plan to process later this year, please don’t wait until the animal is ready to begin looking for an appointment.

Every appointment requires slaughter space, cooler capacity and time on our cutting and packaging schedule. Booking early helps us plan properly and gives you time to prepare as well.

If you’re hoping to process with us this winter, now is the time to contact us about getting on the books.

I’ve been a little quiet on here this week. It has been one of those wide-open weeks where the work gets done, but socia...
09/03/2026

I’ve been a little quiet on here this week. It has been one of those wide-open weeks where the work gets done, but social media has to wait.

Today I was able to get a few minutes to ride through the cows. With everything moving so fast lately, it felt good to slow down for a little while and simply enjoy the animals.

I’ll be back to posting regularly and sharing more from the processing side of the business this month. For today, though, I’m thankful for a few quiet minutes in the pasture before getting back to work. I hope you can find some time to relax and the enjoy the moment as well!

Friday reminder: Our retail store will be OPEN tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, from 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.Stop by A Cut Abov...
08/28/2026

Friday reminder: Our retail store will be OPEN tomorrow, Saturday, August 29, from 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Stop by A Cut Above Processing & Meat Market and shop our rotating selection of beef, pork, sausages and more for the weekend and the week ahead.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

How much control does a processor have over the tenderness of your beef?Proper carcass handling, chilling, aging and cut...
08/27/2026

How much control does a processor have over the tenderness of your beef?

Proper carcass handling, chilling, aging and cutting all help protect the quality of the meat. At A Cut Above, our standard beef aging period is 14 days, giving natural enzymes time to begin breaking down muscle fibers before the beef is cut and packaged.

However, a processor cannot control everything. The animal’s age, genetics, marbling and how much work a particular muscle performed are already established before it reaches the processing plant. Aging can improve tenderness, but it cannot turn every muscle into a tenderloin.

Preparation matters after the meat leaves the plant, too. Thawing, cooking method, final temperature and even the direction in which the meat is sliced can all affect the finished bite.

Tenderness is the result of the animal, the cut, the processing and the cooking. Each part of that process matters.

Why can’t we simply cut more of a beef into steaks?The steaks most people picture for the grill—such as ribeyes, strips,...
08/26/2026

Why can’t we simply cut more of a beef into steaks?

The steaks most people picture for the grill—such as ribeyes, strips, filets and sirloins—come from specific muscles. Many of those muscles do less work during the animal’s life, which contributes to their tenderness.

Muscles from the shoulder, legs and other hard-working areas naturally contain more connective tissue. They can be very flavorful, but they are usually better suited for roasts, stew meat, slow cooking or ground beef. Some muscles are also too small or irregularly shaped to produce consistent steaks.

Cutting a piece of meat into a steak shape does not give it the same qualities as a ribeye or filet.

A beef contains a limited amount of each cut. We do our best to use every section in the way that best suits its natural structure and gives the customer the most useful finished product.

What value do receive from having your meat vacuum-sealed?Two common causes of quality loss during frozen storage are ex...
08/24/2026

What value do receive from having your meat vacuum-sealed?

Two common causes of quality loss during frozen storage are exposure to air and moisture loss. Vacuum sealing removes most of the air from the package and creates a tight barrier around the meat.

Reducing oxygen exposure slows oxidation, helping protect the meat’s flavor, color and overall quality. The tight seal also limits moisture loss, which helps prevent freezer burn and the dry, discolored areas that can develop when meat is exposed to cold freezer air.

Vacuum-sealed packages are also compact, clearly labeled and easier to organize in the freezer. However, vacuum packaging does not replace proper frozen storage. Packages should be frozen promptly, kept consistently frozen and checked occasionally for punctures or a lost seal.

Good packaging cannot change the quality of the meat placed inside it—but it can help protect that quality until you are ready to enjoy it.

A quick reminder as you make your weekend plans: Our retail store will be OPEN tomorrow, Saturday, August 22, from 8:00 ...
08/21/2026

A quick reminder as you make your weekend plans: Our retail store will be OPEN tomorrow, Saturday, August 22, from 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Stop by A Cut Above Processing & Meat Market and shop our rotating selection of beef, pork, sausages and more.

We hope to see you tomorrow!

Have you ever opened a package of ground beef and noticed that the meat inside was darker than the meat near the surface...
08/20/2026

Have you ever opened a package of ground beef and noticed that the meat inside was darker than the meat near the surface?

The difference is usually caused by oxygen.

Myoglobin, a protein found in meat, changes color depending on how much oxygen it is exposed to. Ground beef near the surface may appear bright red because it has had more contact with oxygen, while the meat inside may remain darker red or purplish because less oxygen has reached it. Vacuum-sealed beef will also appear darker until the package is opened and the meat is exposed to air.

This normal color variation does not mean the meat has spoiled. Color alone cannot determine whether meat is safe. Proper refrigeration, handling and storage time all matter.

Just a little meat chemistry for your Thursday.

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6295 Caesar Necaise Road
Perkinston, MS

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