Opportunity: Cornell By-the-Cut Meat Pricing and Sales Research Project

Amy Barkley, Team Leader & Livestock Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

April 8, 2021

Cornell University has received a USDA grant to research direct-to-consumer sales of locally-raised meat sold by-the-cut to help meat producers improve profitability. The project team invites farms to apply to participate and receive one-on-one assistance with analyzing sales data and pricing. Participation includes collecting sales data with Point-of-Sale (POS) and online sales software, like Square, and using Cornell's new online Meat Price Calculator.


We are currently accepting applications to participate from NY farms that sell meat by-the-cut at farmers markets, farm stores, and online. Participation requires using POS software to record all transactions in real time. In turn, our team analyzes the data, providing participants with monthly and seasonal reports and specific advice aimed at increasing farm revenue. In addition, the project includes a
new Meat Price Calculator tool to assist with price changes. Project participants receive one-on-one consultation and technical assistance with marketing and pricing.


There will be a presentation about the project on Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Matt LeRoux, Extension Associate, will introduce the project and present the results of a similar project conducted with vegetable farmers in 2018. Prospective participants are encouraged to attend. Register for the webinar here: https://cornell.zoom.us/meetin...


Farms interested in participating fill out an application form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/...

More details about the research

The hypothesis is that a large volume of data (transactions) will reveal trends in consumer behavior that inform marketing techniques and pricing strategies to increase daily gross sales. The project examines the data on market-specific and farm-specific levels as well as aggregated. Daily gross sales can be increased by 3 primary means: increasing customers, increasing customer spending, and increasing prices. The data will inform the best methods for each farm and market. 


Thank you,


Matt LeRoux

Extension Associate
Charles H Dyson School of Economics & Management
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Cornell University




Field Crops

Field Crops

Dairy

Dairy

Business

Business

Livestock

Livestock

Grains

Grains

Upcoming Events

NY Pork Producers - 2026 Producer Summit & Annual Meeting

March 13 - March 14, 2026
Hamilton, NY

Join NYPP for the 2026 Producer Summit, where producers of all sizes and production styles will explore marketing, branding, selling pork, and current consumer trends through practical sessions designed to help build demand, connect with customers, and add value to their operations.

View NY Pork Producers - 2026 Producer Summit & Annual Meeting Details

Mid Atlantic Grain Conference

March 15 - March 16, 2026

We're excited to share that the 2026 Mid‐Atlantic Grain Fair & Grain Conference is coming March 15-16, 2026 in Pennsylvania! This two-day event brings together farmers, millers, bakers, brewers, distillers, researchers, and grain enthusiasts to learn, connect, and celebrate local grains. These events will be offered at two seperate locations. 

View Mid Atlantic Grain Conference Details

Quality Wool Workshop

March 21, 2026
Alfred, NY

Please join us for a day of workshops and hands-on activities for shepherds, shearers, fiber artists, and interested community members -- learn how to produce quality fleece, process wool at-home, access markets for your wool, help your local shepherds, and strengthen our regional wool supply chain! Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Allegany County in collaboration with Allegany Fresh Transport, Northeast Fiber Exchange (NEFX), Southern Tier Fiber Arts Guild, and Crooked Lane Farm. The workshop will be held at the Union University Church Community Center in Alfred, NY on Saturday, March 21st from 10 AM to 4 PM. 

View Quality Wool Workshop Details

Announcements

No announcements at this time.

NEWSLETTER   |   CURRENT PROJECTS   |   IMPACT IN NY   |   SPONSORSHIP  |  RESOURCES   |   SITE MAP