Hi. I need help with the relationship between inventory accounts for livestock and converting them to processed cuts for sale.

We're unable to determine which account you need to use, PVOLLC.

If you're not sure on what account to use, I recommend reaching out to your accountant. The will be able to help you on that.

As for the individual cuts for sale, you can add them as a regular item. Here's how:

1. Click Lists from the menu.
2. Select Item List.
3. On the Item List window, click Item then New.
4. Select the type of item you want to create.
5. Fill in the item fields.
6. Click OK to save.

We can only guide you through setting up inventory items and accounts. Reach out to your accountant to make sure you're using the right account.

Here are some articles that can help:

• Add, edit, and delete items
• Understand Inventory Assets and COGS tracking
• Understand QuickBooks Chart of Accounts

I'll be around if you have more questions. Don't hesitate to leave a reply.

Thanks for adding more details about your concern, @Anonymous.

We’ll have to use the Unit of Measure feature to properly track the inventory items. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Edit menu at the top to select Preferences.
2. Choose Items & Inventory on the left panel to access the Company Preferences tab.
3. In the Unit of Measure section, tap the Enable button.
4. This will open the Unit Measure window.
5. From there, select which type you want to use and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
   

After adding it, let’s add the meat cuts as inventory items in QuickBooks.

1. Navigate to the Lists menu at the top to choose Item List.
2. This will open the items/services recorded in your company file.
3. Scroll down to the Item section and click the drop-down to choose New.
4. Pick Inventory Part as the Type.
5. Enter a term that will identify the product, and then select the correct Unit of Measure.
6. Fill in the remaining field boxes.

When adding a product, QuickBooks automatically sets the Cost of Goods Sold and Inventory Asset accounts. The desktop program will debit the Inventory Asset account every time you create a transaction.

For more in-depth details about the Unit of Measure option and how it can help the business efficiently manage items, check out this article: How do I?

If there’s anything else I can help you with, leave a comment below. I’ll be right here to assist further. Have a good one.

I work at a large butcher shop/processor that kills hundreds of hogs each week and cattle as well.   There are several factors that need to be taken into consideration, and I don't know that QB has a solution.   First off, pigs and cattle all weigh different weights.  Even if you have two pigs of the same weight, the finished product or total sellable items will vary due to the customers' options on how they want the pig or beef broken down.    The processor will bill you by the weight, regardless of how many pork chops or steaks you cut out of the carcass, unless some odd special cuts are requested.    Either way, you can't really inventory each packaged item (pork steaks, pork chops, sliced or slab bacon, etc.   

I personally believe that you will need to come up with a finished package or item that is billed by the pound, just as you are being billed.  That is your cost of goods.   You have your cost of purchasing the piglets, raising them, then the slaughter house processing fees.   Then you have the finished items to sell by the whole or half hog processed.

The meat industry primarily works on pounds, as I mentioned, because no two animals are exactly the same.   I hope this helps.