Once hunting season kicks in, our County’s meat processors go into overdrive. But they keep plenty busy the rest of the year too, providing services to local farmers and quality products for families. In an era of fresh and local, the following three companies deliver big time.
Started by one man in 1968, Behrmann Meat and Processing, often referred to as “The biggest little plant in southern Illinois,” has grown into a thriving business with 40 full-time and four part-time employees. While they are known for custom pork, beef and venison processing, pork is their star. They process more than 250 hogs weekly, all locally raised. “Squeel’n fresh” pork sausage, is a specialty, but you’ll also find bone-in and bone-out cured hams, cured bacon and bratwurst in a variety of flavors. In fall, hunters in a 75-mile radius count on Behrmann’s to process their deer—last year the company handled nearly 2,500 orders.
Behrmann Meat and Processing
303 East State Route 161, Albers
618-248-5151
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Carlyle is home to Scott’s Processing, another family owned and operated business that handles locally raised beef, hogs, goat and sheep. Scott’s specialty is dry aging of beef—for a minimum of seven days—producing meat that becomes tender without using any lactic acid or vinegar in the process. Stop by the company’s butcher shop and you’ll find cases stocked with choice steaks and roasts, as well as specialty brats in flavors such as Parmesan garlic, sausages and smoked meats. During deer season, local hunters rely on Scott’s for both in-house butchering and smoking. Finished products include standards such as deer bacon and brats to more specialty items like jalapeno and cheese sticks.
Scott’s Processing
1810 Franklin Street, Carlyle
618-594-3921
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Since its start in1964, when it butchered two hogs and two cows a week, Trenton Processing Center has grown into a full service business with custom butchering, deer processing, retail, catering and wholesale. Sausages are a specialty, and they make a wide variety, including their original country-style summer sausage. Visit their deli counter and you’ll see a complete selection. The store also offers beef and pork cut to order, luncheon meats, cooked products and salads. The company is a favorite with local hunters, not only for processing, but for the end products such as venison jerky, summer sausage and bratwurst. Like the other processors, Trenton Processing Center has meat bundle options too.
Trenton Processing Center
120 W. Broadway, Trenton
618-224-7383
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
As you can see, there are great advantages to living here in Clinton County. It’s one more reason to come visit—and you can even take home a little taste of what we offer!