Buying half cow or 1/4 cow??

[Jaycey'smom]

I have never heard of this until I came to this board. So can anyone tell me all the details???...How much it costs, what do you get as in meats for whole, half, 1/4 cow, where do you get it, does it save ALOT of $$, does it taste the same as "store bought" meat, and I would guess you would need a deep freezer to store it all? Thanks for any help!!

 

[babytrees]

price will depend on your choice of cuts.

Yes you will need a deep freeze.

No they don't taste a thing like store meat....so much better . If I didn't have to buy hamburger from the store I wouldn't (my IL's give us parts of cows about every year)

We've done half a pig...that didn't work out for us very well.

 

[mom2alix]

This website has lists of local producers by state:

http://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html

 

[ceecee]

It's very common where I live (lots of farms around). A half cow is a LOT of beef! It does depend on the cuts as to how much it costs and you will definately need a larger freezer. We have also done half pigs if you like pork. The meat does have a different taste (or we think it does!) As for cost, it's not really that much cheaper in my opinion, you will save some but then you will be buying a lot all at once. My girlfriend bought like that and didn't like how it came wrapped!!! She expected trays and cello like the grocery! I thought that was too funny! City girls!

 

[cbrfan]

When we used to buy freezer beef we bought 1/2 of a 1/2. We split 1/2 beef with my in-laws and we all got a variety of cuts that way. And I do think it tastes better than what you get in the stores.

 

[Orange County Girl]

We just bought a half beef and wish we would have bought the whole beef! The cow was a bit smaller than expected and we bought a huge freezer for it. We were lucky to buy it from my hubby' co-worker. The ground beef is especially delicious.

 

[loud-frog]

We bought a mixed 1/4. Our cost was about $450.It lasted us about a year.
The quality was awesome!!! We bought in the fall so it was pasture raised. If you buy after winter they are grain fed. Our local supplier uses as little as possable antibiotics, no hormones, no steroids.

 

[maleficent1959]

We found our farmer through http://www.localharvest.org. Overall it is cheaper than the grocery store when it averages out. Since you pay by the pound, a pound of ground beef might be higher than what you pay, but the more expensive cuts were much cheaper. Ours is also pasture-raised with no antibiotics, no hormones etc. and really tasty.

We also found a local farmer that provides lamb, chicken, pork, heritage turkeys etc. We split with friends and in-laws so we get a good variety.

 

[denise5374]

price will depend on your choice of cuts.

Yes you will need a deep freeze.

No they don't taste a thing like store meat....so much better . If I didn't have to buy hamburger from the store I wouldn't (my IL's give us parts of cows about every year)

We've done half a pig...that didn't work out for us very well.

Babytrees-why did the pig not work out for you If you don't mind me asking. Was it the cuts of meat or the amount or something else??

Thanks-Denise

 

[kimmikayb]

We are farm people, no longer raise any cattle but have friends who do so we split a cow every year. We find 1/4 lasts us the year. Meat left in the freezer past a year starts to taste funky to me. It cost us about $200 for a quarter.

Yep, you'll need a deep freezer and IMO...beef this way taste better then what I get from the store.

 

[kimmikayb]

Babytrees-why did the pig not work out for you If you don't mind me asking. Was it the cuts of meat or the amount or something else??

Thanks-Denise

not Babytrees, but I can say for us...we don't eat pork as often and most sat in the freezer too long and I ended up pitching a lot of it. Was better to buy the little bit of pork we ate at the store.

 

[babytrees]

Babytrees-why did the pig not work out for you If you don't mind me asking. Was it the cuts of meat or the amount or something else??

Thanks-Denise

cuts and taste....it wasn't just us...other family had problems with the taste also, we think it might have been just the farm. We learned that we just aren't pork eaters...or at least enough for a half pig.

 

[denise5374]

How much meat is in 1/2 a pig and what are the cuts?

 

[fkj2]

When I was a kid, my dad used to raise a feeder steer for us and another that he would sell to pay for costs. Now, the best meat I've bought has been from the 4-H market steer sales at the local fairs. Melts in your mouth, and helps kids with college expenses.

We have several local packing houses where I can purchase meat that's farm raised. Recently I've been using deer meat. I was skeptical at first but the ground venison is delicious. I avoid store-bought meat if I can.

 

[Chelley00]

How much meat is in 1/2 a pig and what are the cuts?

It depends where you buy and what you request. We get 1/2 hog from a local farm and pay $2.20/lb. It comes with pork chops, sausage, bacon, ham, ribs, cutlets and brats, only we swap our brats with another customer for extra pork chops.


Some people don't like the taste of farm fresh hog/beef because they are used to the overprocessed taste of what you get in a store. I suggest calling a farm to see if you can buy just a package of something as a trial before you spend $200-$400 on a freezer full of something that tastes more meaty than some people can tolerate

 

[Passions71203]

we got our 1/2 beef close to like 6 months ago. I think we paid about 300-ish for the butchers fee and 150 for the farmer.
It tastes wonderful and it is a grain-fed beef.

 

[ENSOCK]

We used to get a whole calf every year. The cuts are up to you. You can ground the whole thing if that is what you want to do. Just be prepared for the difference in taste. I remember the first time I cooked hamburgers with my fresh ground and it stuck to the pan. Almost no fat was released and the burgers did not shrink. I thought something was wrong with the frying pan. I wish we could get another but my dad quit raising beef. Now we have to use deer. Not the same but works out great for my grocery bills.

 

[HopingToGetEngaged]

we got our 1/2 beef close to like 6 months ago. I think we paid about 300-ish for the butchers fee and 150 for the farmer.
It tastes wonderful and it is a grain-fed beef.

I have to ask... where in Ohio are you? I'm outside Cleveland, and am looking for a good farm to purchase from in the Stark County area.

 

[Jaycey'smom]

Thanks for all the replys!! I had NO idea you could buy meat like that. I think I will stick to "store bought" meat for now since I have no freezer and am used to store meat. Altho I am going to try and find somewhere I can just get a small package just to taste the difference!

 

[JonS99]

I know this might not be the thing for everyone, especially since this is the budget board, but I would suggest calling your local county fair and asking them the date of their 4-H livestock auction.. You won't get the best deal and will pay a premium, but you will be helping the local youth while getting a higher quality of meat..

Each year, me and another guy head to the auction, buy a steer and have it sent to be butchered.. We end up getting about 400 pounds of meat for around $800 before all is said and done, whatever we pay over the current market rate we deduct on our taxes..

Even doing it this way, we still save money over what we would at the store..