Cost Calculator for a Mobile Slaughter Unit
Update: December 2011
In 2008, we posted an Excel-based planning tool based on the Thundering Hooves mobile slaughter unit (MSU) in Washington State. It was created by Kathleen Painter, an analyst at the University of Idaho, using estimates from Joel Huesby, Thundering Hooves MSU owner and operator.
The tool lets you test the feasibility of owning and operating a similar unit yourself, based on your data: # of head, days/week used, yield assumptions, pricing, and other details. It assumes that the MSU will work with a separate processor to cut and wrap the meat -- those costs are not included.
The calculator also doesn't include marketing and distribution costs. It is meant only to estimate MSU operating costs and potential profit of that part of the enterprise, based on throughput, by species.
We have since learned that the figures in the calculator, which were estimates, did not turn out to be actuals.
The calculator is still useful, but like any tool, it needs good raw materials for a good end result. Do your homework: come up with numbers that are better estimates for your planned operation. A useful place to start is the MSU section of NMPAN's Small Meat Processors Business Planning Guide. See the MSU financials. But again, always ground truth the numbers on your own ground.
