Ive been cutting meat since 1993. I used to work as a butcher and Ill be honest. If youre thinking of taking the meat in to be processed its going to be costly per #. And theres no guarentee you will get your own meat back. Youre better off doing it yourself. Theres really not much you can screw up and theres no reason your dad shouldnt eat it. Its no different. I make my own burger, sausage, bacon, steaks, chops, you name it. It can be a time consuming matter, but its so much more worth it and you save TONS of money doing it yourself. And not to mention that most lockers/butchers require a minumum amount of meat brought in. Usually 50# batches. If you dont have 50# of meat, they will add to yours from someone elses, or if you have more than what is needed for what ever you want made youll lose meat and that will go into someone elses batch who doesnt have enough....its hit and miss. If you do it yourself you will get your own meat back, its guarenteed.