The former Stone’s Slaughter and Processing in Lynnville, TN. will open under new ownership on March 1.

After decades of quality service to the community, the Stone family retired and the plant closed its doors. Ben Neale, the new owner and a native of Lynnville, purchased the business and hired a new operating team.

Neale hopes that Light Hill Meats will live up to the great reputation of Stone’s. “It’s been a dream of mine to own and operate a processing facility,” Neale said. “Luckily, one in my hometown became available and already had such a good reputation. I will work hard to make sure that we continue their good work.”

Like Stone’s, Neale plans to process mainly beef cattle and deer, and is already booking customers for the rest of the year. Light Hill Meats is a state-inspected facility, but is considering becoming USDA-inspected in the future. “As the customer base grows, we will be looking at other areas of processing to offer more services to them,” Neale said.

Neale has extensive experience in the livestock industry and currently raises commercial cattle in Giles and Warren Counties. He is married to Lauren Neale and they have a 16-month old son named Corban. “It is my goal to not only provide for my family through the beef business, but also employ others and help the local community through reputable service,” Neale said.

Kenny Moffitt, who lives in McMinnville, is the new plant manager. “We’re getting ready for inspections and moving in new equipment,” Moffitt said.

Moffitt is one of four new employees who have been hired.

Light Hill Meats will specalize in custom beef processing. Moffitt shared that the typical cost for processing a beef is 60 cents per pound of “hanging weight,” he said. A $45 per animal kill fee will also be charged.

The plant will be open Monday through Friday, with potential of weekends if demand is high.