SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — For more than 40 years, Southeast Packers in Springfield has been a cornerstone for cattlemen and hunters across Effingham County, offering custom livestock processing and wild game butchering. Now, owners Amanda and Andy Zoller are preparing to take the family business to the next level with a new, state-of-the-art facility and butcher store slated to open in 2026.
Andy Zoller, a third-generation Effingham County butcher, grew up in the world of meat processing. As a child, he would accompany his father and uncle to Ratchford’s Butcher Shop, the historic Guyton butcher shop, helping to butcher hogs before school. Ratchford’s closed in the early 2000s. But that early immersion laid the foundation for a lifelong craft, one he and Amanda now bring to Southeast Packers, known locally as “the dog yard.”
The business traces its roots back to Erving Zoller — “Uncle Irving” — who inherited the property from his father, Virgil, in the late 1980s. Erving specialized in deer and custom livestock butchering until his death in December 2022. Amanda and Andy officially took over the operation in September 2021, continuing the family tradition while putting their own stamp on the business.
Serving Local Farmers and Hunters
Southeast Packers serves farmers, hunters and livestock producers throughout the year, processing cattle, hogs, goats and lambs on a custom-exempt basis. During the peak hunting season from October through January, the facility also offers skinning and processing services for deer and wild hogs. All meat is returned to the owner rather than sold commercially.
“Everything we do is tailored to the customer,” Amanda said. “Hunters and livestock owners rely on us for expert butchering that meets both state and federal regulations. It’s about preserving the craft and making sure people get quality meat.”
While there are a couple of other wild game processors in Effingham County, Southeast Packers remains the only operation licensed for full custom livestock processing, offering a level of service unique in the region, Amanda said.
Looking Ahead: A New Era
The Zollers are expanding across the road from their current location off Indigo Road to a new site off Stillwell‑Clyo Road in Springfield. Site preparation for the 5,000‑square-foot facility began in July 2025, and workers have recently begun installing footers and laying the foundation. The new facility will feature USDA inspection, allowing the Zollers to sell meat products to the public, across state lines, and operate a retail butcher shop — the first in Effingham County since Ratchford’s closed.
“So potentially by the fall of 2026 our new facility will be up and running,” Amanda said. “It will provide opportunities for livestock producers in surrounding counties to sell meat legally through our USDA‑inspected facility, farmers markets, and online platforms. We’re keeping the tradition alive while bringing it into the modern age.”
The facility will include cutting-edge equipment, a rail system for efficient meat processing, and expanded cooler space, increasing capacity to 35 cows or 50 hogs at a time. Customers will also have the option to purchase products online, similar to national meat delivery services.
Beef Prices and Local Access
Beef prices have climbed sharply nationwide, with both ground beef and steak seeing significant increases over the past year as supply tightens and demand stays strong. Retail beef prices have risen roughly 16 % year-over-year, reflecting broader market pressures such as smaller cattle herds, disease and higher production costs. Once the new USDA-inspected facility and butcher store open in fall 2026, residents will be able to purchase meat directly from Southeast Packers, either in the store or online, providing easier access to locally raised, high-quality beef.
Keeping a Craft Alive
For Andy, butchering is more than a job — it’s an art. From selecting the right cuts to ensuring consistent quality, the skill and care required have been honed over generations. The Zollers hope to instill that same respect for craft in their children, Ron, 9, and Vivian, 11, who already spend time helping at the facility.
“I’ve been doing it my whole life,” Andy said during a break from making pork sausage on a recent workday morning. “We do the whole process from start to finish — slaughter to butchering to packaging.”
“Meat is something everyone needs, every day,” Amanda said. “We’re preserving a craft that’s vital to our community and ensuring that people can enjoy locally raised, quality products for years to come.”
A Community Institution
Southeast Packers has been an Effingham County institution for decades, and with the expansion, it’s poised to grow even more. From its humble roots in the 1980s to a modern USDA-inspected facility, the Zollers are combining family tradition, local service, and business innovation to secure the future of the county’s oldest custom butcher shop.
