I have posted a few times on how my family bought 1/2 of a cow a few months back, many of you have wanted more details so I thought I would share with you my very small bit of knowledge on this. I did some research online before finding a farm that we liked, and what I thought was a good price per lb. I was quoted anywhere between $3 and $6 per lb. We decided that buying meat in bulk was the right fit for us, because it was just as expensive as meat in the store, but we had the added security of knowing that our meat was Organic Grass Fed Beef from a local farm. Prices vary per area, so I can’t tell you how much you should spend per lb., but here are some things to look for when looking for to purchase a cow. Please note that I am no where near an expert on this, this is the first time we have done this, so please leave comments below if you are more experienced!
Many farms you can purchase a full cow, a 1/2 cow, or even a 1/4 cow. We decided on the 1/2 cow but it was a small cow so we purchased around 150 pounds of meat.
1.) The price is usually quoted on ‘hanging weight’ this is the weight of the cow with the bones still in the carcass. This is not how much meat that you will be getting, so keep that in mind when you are shopping around for prices. You may have to pay an extra butchering fee, so make sure that you ask if that is included in the price per lb.
2.) The price of the meat may or may not include packaging. My sister purchased meat cheaper than I did but her’s came in brown paper packages, which she had to repackage herself at an extra cost. My meat came freezer sealed and ready to be put right into the freezer. You will want to ask the farm is the price includes packaging and butchering.
My meat has which cut of meat it is on the package.
3.) Research how you want your animal cut because you will be able to get it custom cut – we opted for mostly Ground beef because that is what we eat the most of. We also got a few roasts, one Prime Rib for Christmas, fillets, and Ribeye Steaks.
4.) Ask for the age of the cow and what is has been fed during its lifetime. Getting a cow that was 100% grass fed is standard for Natural and Organic farms, the perfect age for a cow to be butchered is around 2 years old.
You can find farms in your area here, but keep in mind that the farms that have websites and overhead expenses like a website typically charge more for meat to cover those costs. The best bet, is to ask around to your friends if they know of any local farms that have any cows for sale.
Please let me know what I missed out on, I know there are many of you who know more about this than I do.
I remember commenting on your original post about this. This is my experience:
I’ve bought Organic grass fed lambs– had them processed. Payed approximately $3.35/lb for any cut. Ribs, ground, roasts, chops, etc.
Hunted deer — had them processed. Payed approx $2.80 lb any cut. If I got a second deer it dropped the price b/c I had already paid for the tags. Just had to pay for it to be processed. We went mostly ground, chops, steaks, and roasts— tenderloins are really delicious wrapped in bacon and brown sugar.
I was raised on a farm and therefore my folks did a lot of their own meat animal raising. I helped butcher chickens.. we raised a cow yearly for it, ..and then once I moved out (went to college) my folks started a Boer Goat farm (meat goats).
Once I settled down, got my own place I started to raise meat rabbits, chickens, ducks, & turkey’s. I can’t go into the very detail of the expenses… but I paid someone to process the birds ($2/per chicken. $3/per duck & turkey). I butchered the meat rabbits myself.
The only thing I say to be weary of is buying Pig. Make sure you know what they were fed. If they were fed a lot of junk/garbage they’re not going to taste good.
You can also look on craigslist.. I have seen cows/pigs advertised on there before.
I have found, through the years that my meat tends to last several months LONGER in a deep chest freezer than what it states as “its good for x amount of months”. If it’s wrapped well and sealed in good freezer bags. If it’s wrapped and just stuck in ziplock it will not last as long– it tends to freezer burn easier in my experience.
Everything seems to be posted already– can’t think of anything else. There are several meat processors in this area (CNY)(they differ in what they are willing to do and what cuts, maybe due to experience). Most of the time this is done ‘word of mouth’ so it’s good to ask around… typically hunters will know or have heard of someone.
Great tips Cat – the farm I bought my beef from has Organic Pig that is fed the good stuff! We wanted to get some bacon and try that too!
I am curious to know if you can find a 1/2 cow or pig that isn’t organic/grass fed? I love the idea of being grass fed and such, but just can’t afford it. I have researched and haven’t found anything. Is there anywhere that you know of?
Lauren, since this is your first 1/2 a cow, I have to mention that when you get meat like this, it tends to be on the tougher side if you don’t plan accordingly… What I mean is, say you want a steak for dinner and you pull it out early that morning to thaw, big mistake! What we have found works the best is plan a week in advance, pull the steak out, put it in the fridge to thaw and wait a week to cook it. Then its amazing!! With all your research, you’ve probably heard this, so I’m sorry if this isn’t news to you
I want to do this, but with how often we lose power, and since we don’t have a generator, we haven’t yet. So be sure to have a way to keep your freezer running in case of a power outage! It would be awful to lose all that.
I told my husband that we were going to buy 1/2 a cow and see how long it would take us to go through it this year. It’s the first time we will be doing this but I love the idea of grassfed deliciuos meat!
We’ve done this once before. It is great if you have the freezer room. I think we ended up paying less than $2 per pound and everything was srink wrapped like yours. The beef tasted so much better being from a grass-fed cow!
I live in Syracuse and would love to know which farm you bought your beef from and whether you’d use then again.
I bought my meat from HappyHooves Farm – you can find their website here. They also do meat drop offs once a month in Liverpool and Rochester. She will bring 1 lb. packages of beef, many times she brings pork and chicken too. IT’s already pre-frozen and wrapped. That way you don’t have to buy in bulk like we did. http://www.betterbeef4u.com/
We split half a pig with a family member and it was amazing. Our family knew the farmer, the meat was vacuum packed and lasted forever. It was fun getting a mix of cuts and the quality was much, much better than store bought. I never knew how good a pork chop could taste until we bought our 1/4 pig. Highly recommend it!
If you are in the Colorado area we can possibly hook you up. I am in Colorado, used to live in Nebraska which is where we always get our cow from as we still have ranching friends there. My husband has just started helping to sell beef in fact he made a run last week and brought a cow and a half back to the Castle Rock area that he sold. It is based on hanging weight and processing is included. Let me know if you would like more info. It is the best beef ever.
LM I am curious to know if you always have tough meat like that? That is not my experience at all in fact, we are notorious for forgetting to defrost and then have to microwave defrost steak right before dinner. It is never tough. I wonder what the difference is?
Just wondering, how much did it cost you to buy the half cow?
I wouldn’t worry about a short power outage. Our chest freezer is on the back porch which is unheated so it stays chilly and it’s topped right off. It would take SEVERAL days for it to unthaw.
From what has happened previously with my folks when there was a sustained power outage and they couldn’t save the food that was in their fridge/freezer they were reimbursed… not sure how/by who– but it happened years ago.
My mom knows of some folks down near DeRuyter that sell pig so I’m waiting to hear back for the number. I guess my Uncle has bought from them two years in a row and it’s really good.