How does ordering bulk beef/pork work?
A question we get asked is if it is less expensive to buy in bulk? This will be assessed at the end of this segment.
If you are new to buying direct from the farm, below a list of commonly asked questions to aid in understanding how this process works. Our pricing on beef is $5.00/lb. hanging weight plus processing. Pork pricing is $4.25/lb. hanging weight plus processing. Once you have reserved your meat, we will notify you of the harvest date a few weeks prior to give you a heads up.
Q: What is hanging weight?
Hanging weight is what you would see hanging in a butcher’s cooler. You only pay for YOUR PORTION of the hanging weight. Say a beef steer weighs 1000 lbs. live weight, its hanging weight will be roughly 55-65% of that, so around 600 for that 1000 lb. animal. Of course each animal finishes out at a slightly different weight. Processing is additional and paid separately to the butcher.
Q: Average hanging weight cost?
Beef: 650-900 lbs. example (725 lbs. X $5.00=$3,625), does not include processing.
*We also sell 1/2 & 1/4 shares for beef which is suitable for smaller families.
Pork: Avg. 215 lbs. example (215 lbs. X $4.25=$913.75) ,does not include processing.
Q: How much is processing?
We use 2 different processors. Hoffman’s Meat Processing in Cardington, OH (State Inspected Facility) and Winner Sons, Inc. in Osgood, OH (Federally Inspected Facility).
Their processing fees are live weight for hogs and hanging weight for beef. They both charge about 65 cents per pound for processing but there are additional fees depending on how you want your cuts. For example, bone-in vs. bone-out cuts or do you want your beef in patties or sausage flavored. I will provide you with a sheet so that you can tailor your order to your personal tastes and needs. Processing fees include cutting, wrapping and blast freezing.
Total Cost Estimates include processor fees: Of course each animal will finish differently and how you decide to have it processed can reflect in this as well. If you want a general “Guess”, here it is.
Beef: Whole $4,196 Half share: $2,083 1/4 Share: $1,041.50
Pork: Whole $1,053
Q: How much freezer space will I need / how much actual product will I get?
Our cattle are a bit smaller than traditionally raised beef cattle, which makes them not only more affordable, the beef yield is easier to store! A 1/2 beef will yield around 250 lbs. actual meat, and a whole beef will equal approx. 500 lbs. of beef for your freezer. Again, these amounts are approximate, depending on the live weight of the animal at processing. A good rule of thumb is you will receive approximately 70% of your share's hanging weight as take home meat. I can fit a 1/2 beef easily into an average sized upright freezer, and a 1/2 beef will feed our family of four for about 3/4 of the year.
Q: How do I reserve my share?
We ask a $500 deposit for a whole beef, a $250 deposit for a 1/2 beef, and $100 for a whole or half hog share. This helps ensure we have the whole animal sold prior to market date and helps us avoid scrambling for another buyer last minute should anyone forfeit their share. This deposit amount is then deducted from the final amount you owe for your beef/pork.
Q: How do I customize my order?
We will provide you with a “cut sheet” 2 weeks prior to us taking the steer/hog to the processor. We ask that you return this to use 2 days prior to your butcher date. Don’t stress if this is new to you, we are here to help you and can talk you through some best practices.
Q: When is payment due?
Aside from your deposit, your payment to us for the beef is due upon delivery to the processor (we will let you know final costs after we know the hanging weight of the animal). Processing fees are due to the processor when you pick up your beef/pork.
Still have a few more questions? Email us and ask away!
*Need a little less? A 1/4 Beef is available upon request.
Does Bulk Purchasing save you money? It is important to not confuse cost with quality, but buying in bulk does lower the cost per pound of top-quality beef. When paying for your beef via “Hanging Weight”, you pay one price per pound while you get ground beef, steaks, and roasts all at one price. Top quality Ribeye, Sirloin, Porterhouse, roasts, and ground beef each at about $8.90 per pound. So, you see, getting quality grassfed locally raised beef is not only sustainable smart, it is economically feasible.
