I consider myself fortunate that I work in a large grocery store that still has a policy of using as much rail meat as possible. You have more control over the aging process, there's no purge and any scaring is the fault of your staff.
Boxed beef, (The IBP revolution) in my opinion benefits the big slaughterhouses and the modern, "Beef Trust," then it does the store level or the customer.
I'm wondering, if there's enough interest on this group and possibly others to begin a campaign of awareness to, "RETURN TO RAIL!" Bring the profits back to the store level!
Totally agree, 2 years ago I was invovled with an area rancher and we opened a kill floor and a processing/retail front operation. We were using our own cattle from start to finish, it was amazing!