Better Farming - October 2016

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FIELDTRIP
A meaty new direction
by KYLE RODRIGUEZ
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Founded in 1915 near
Hagersville, Haldimand County,
Teal’s Meats has built up a loyal
clientele by using the whole hog for
their sausage, including prime cuts,
following family recipes passed down
for generations. In 2008, with retire-
ment looming and their children
pursuing other interests, Gary and
Shirley Teal were approached by their
neighbour’s daughter and her
husband to see if they were interested
in selling the business.
The young couple, Anna Haupt
and Mark McCutcheon, were raised
on farms. Mark was faced, however,
with unclear succession plans for his
family’s land, so the couple chose
instead to learn the butcher’s trade.
In doing so, they combined the
revenue potential from the Teal’s
existing business with the productive
capacity of their wider family’s farm
operations. Anna’s parents Anita and
Ferdinand Haupt raise beef. Her
sisters, Greta Haupt and Niki
Carpenter, and Niki’s husband, Ian,
run the farm across the road, which
grows hay for the livestock and cash
crops. Anna also raises goats. Togeth-
er, the family now produces approxi-
mately 40 per cent of the company’s
meat.
Thus, Anna and Mark preserved
and developed a local institution
that has lasted over 100 years. BF
Diversifying into the operation of a butcher shop allowed Anna Haupt and Mark McCutcheon to
support their family while maintaining their agricultural roots.
Clockwise from right are, Anna Haupt,
her daughters Anya (2), Evi (8),
Helaina (6), and husband Mark
McCutcheon, posing for a portrait on
the original Teal’s property.
Anna and Mark’s children Anya (left)
and Helaina brush a goat together. Anna
chose to start raising goats as some-
thing she could do with the children
while Mark did fieldwork. The trust built
between the children and the herd is
showcased during their participation in
showmanship classes and competitions
where judges evaluate the docility of
the animal, as well as how well the
children care for and control the goats.
Anna says she makes sure her children
are aware that the family is raising a
productive herd, where each animal
needs to earn its spot, and that some
show animals will eventually end up as
food.
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