Here at Gunter Brother Meats, we have been offering custom cutting and processing for more than 30 years. As one of the few Class “A” Government Inspected Slaughter establishments on Vancouver Island, we have mastered the necessary processes to deliver the quality our clients expect, while expertly and efficiently processing livestock.
What is Butcher’s Choice?
To make this even easier, many of our clients opt for Butcher’s Choice (Step 2, Choose Cut Style) which is popular and traditional cuts selected by our Master Butcher for most efficient cut and best value. You can review what is typically included for each portion at the time of selection. When you select “Butcher Choice’s” you will only need to add your personal information, and your order form cut options will be autofilled complete. Clients may expect slight variations in quantity / options in every custom processing request, due to portion size or special requirements.
Custom Cutting Options
Choose the Custom Cutting option if you require a different selection of cuts from Butcher’s Choice, or have more specialized requests. You will be able to enter all options on the form, and leave detailed instructions if needed.
Ready to fill out your cutting instructions?
Follow the simple steps at the link below. You will be contacted by a staff member to confirm your custom processing request, including quantities and special requirements. Expect slight variations in quantity / options in every custom processing request, due to portion size.
Hit List
Farmers, if you have received your hang weights via email, you can use our handy online HIT LIST form to assign animal weights to your customers, and provide payment details.
Form Auto-Fill Settings
If you are a reoccurring customer, or have multiple forms to complete, please complete the form below to update your Auto-Fill Settings. These settings will be used while filling out Hit Lists & Cutting Instructions.
Custom Cutting
–Frequently Asked Questions–
Appointment Booking:
- How do I book an appointment for my animal(s)?
Our facility is by appointment only. If you haven’t yet booked with us please contact us by email [email protected] or call us at 250-334-2960. If you are wanting to book with us during the first week following opening a new calendar period (week of June 1st or December 1st) we will only be accepting phone-in or in-store booking requests. We will start taking calls at 8:00AM for new calendar booking periods on Booking Day day.
- When can I book appointments?
We open our calendar for bookings 6 months at a time as of the 2022 calendar year. June 1, we open the months of September through February. December 1, we open March through August. If our first calendar booking day falls on a weekend, the booking calendar will open on the following Monday.
- What do I need to do if I need to Adjust or Cancel my appointment?
Please call us as soon as possible if you need to change you booking with us and we will do our best to accommodate any changes.
Animal Drop-Off:
- When can I drop off my animals?
Animals can be dropped off after 4:00 PM the day before slaughter up until 8:00 AM the day of slaughter.
- How many animals am I allowed to bring in for my booking?
Farmers are only permitted to bring in the amount of animals indicated at the time of booking. Any animals brought in excess of the amount booked will not be processed and you will be contacted to pick up extra animals.
- What are Drop-off procedures?
Our pens are located down the alleyway to left of our building. When you are dropping off your animals you can use one of our offloading ramps. We have a few different types that can accommodate most trailer styles. Load your animals into one of the available empty pens. Leave your contact information, including your name, phone number and an animal count on the clip on the pen.
Hit List:
- What is the Hit List?
The “Hit List” is the form used to assign the hanging weights of your animals to your customers, as well as indicating if the owner of the animals or their customers will be paying for the Slaughter and or the Processing costs. Once the Hit List has been completed you can begin to complete Cutting Instructions and or have your customers submit their cutting instructions to us online.
- When should I fill out my Hit List?
We request our clients complete their Hit List within 48 hours of receiving their hanging weights via email. We will include all the information required when we email you.
Cutting Instructions & Processing:
- When can Cutting Instructions be completed?
We request cutting instructions are completed within 48 hours of receiving your hanging weight email. This allows us enough time to fully review your instructions and process your orders in a timely manner. If cutting instructions are not received in time for cutting, we will have to cut orders following the “Butcher’s Choice” specification which is standard processing created for each animal type.
- Am I able to get a cut not listed on the cutting instruction form?
We make our best effort to accommodate client requests whenever possible. Any special requests can be detailed in the special instructions box at the bottom of the cutting form.
- Are offals included with my cutting order?
All offals from beef and pork are returned directly to the farmer for distribution. Lamb offals will be packaged with orders as available.
Order Pickup:
- How long will my order take to process?
Processing times vary depending on the volume animals we are cutting. On average, processing takes 1-2 weeks for lamb, 2-3 weeks for pork and 3-4 weeks for beef from the time of slaughter.
- When can my order be picked up?
We will contact the person paying for the processing of the animal upon order completion. Once the order is ready for pickup, we will email an invoice along with advanced payment options. We are available Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM for pickup.