Thriving in Rutland

West River Meats offers tallow products, custom processing

RUTLAND -- Meat processor Don Thul grew up in northwest Iowa on a livestock farm, raising cattle and hogs with his dad. He opened his own meat processing business after 18 years with Iowa Beef Producers, and that business venture led him to develop a line of tallow products that people love.

In 2001, Thul launched West River Meats. Sadly, his first facility was destroyed in a 2015 fire. Eight years later, Thul built a state-of-the-art facility just a block down from his previous location in Rutland.

"I feel that there are a lot of benefits to developing relationships between the consumer and producer and processor. That is totally lost in the big packing house mentality," Thul said. "Our new facility is much more efficient and ergonomically correct than the 'old' West River Meats. The new facility is federally inspected. We process 300% more at the new facility than we did at the old facility. The new facility is much easier to keep sanitary and maintain proper temperatures."

As his business grew, Thul opened a new storefront in 2024, which includes a large walk-in freezer. West River Meats also works with producers who place an emphasis on humane treatment, minimal pharmaceutical use and open air-raised beef and pork.

"We have several producers we work with who have cow-calf herds that have top notch beef ready for us all year when we need them and even have a couple pork producers that still raise pigs the old fashioned way, out in the dirt where they belong," he said.

Thul sets himself apart from others by aging his beef a minimum of 14 days under controlled temperature and humidity levels. His beef is available in quarter, half and whole options. Pork is cut as soon as it reaches prime temperature and available in half or whole. Thul also offers custom processing of beef, pork, lamb and bison.

"Customers love the fact that we dry-aged our beef a minimum of 14 days before cutting and also that we still double wrap all of our products in plastic and paper for the best protection in your freezer. There is no substitute for customer service. Good competition is healthy. It makes everyone stay on their toes and provide the best products and services possible if they want to stay in the market," Thul said. "Whether choosing pork or beef, customers choose exactly how they want their meat cut and packaged. My office manager or myself talks to each customer personally and walks each and every one through their order."

Thul also carries a line of all-natural, handmade tallow products crafted in small batches. His products include whipped tallow, tallow lip balm, magnesium foot cream and winter rescue cream.

Beef tallow is made by removing, simmering and clarifying the fatty tissue that surrounds the organs of cows. It also can be made from other ruminant animals, including buffalo, sheep, goats and deer. It's commonly used for cooking at high temperatures, such as deep frying and roasting, but can be used in soaps, skincare products and even as an ingredient in candles.

"The tallow business is booming," Thul said. "Our customers are realizing the benefits of the tallow skin care products that Heather has developed. The cooking tallow is a game changer for anyone who cooks at home. It is so much healthier than traditional seed oils. The research is out there for anyone to educate themselves about, and I strongly advise everyone to take a look at it."

Since the composition of beef tallow is similar to natural oils produced by skin, it can be used as a moisturizer and is gentle on sensitive skin. CLA has anti-inflammatory benefits that help lock in moisture and reduce oxidation, which, along with the fat-soluble vitamins in beef tallow, may improve skin's elasticity and overall healthy appearance when applied topically.

For now, Thul sells his retail products through his storefront in Rutland.

"We don't stock our products in other stores just yet," Thul said. "We've been approached by several stores, both big and small, about supplying products to them. I've not committed to that yet, as we are building other facets of the business first."

Thul also owns a 45-acre hobby farm, located six miles south of Algona, where he and his fiancee live. Of that, 35 acres is hay ground that a local producer cuts and bales to feed his cattle.

"We have big plans for the farm in the next few years. We plan on building a year-round farm market, which will be named H&D Farm Market," Thul said. "Our goal with the farm market will be to further grow relationships between producers, processors and customers, as well as educating as many people as possible about the benefits of choosing locally grown agricultural goods from Iowa producers."