Buy a half cow from local farms

A half cow typically costs $1,500-$2,800 total, which works out to $6-12 per pound of take-home meat. This includes premium cuts like ribeye and filet that would cost $20-40/lb at the store.

Plan for 8-10 cubic feet of freezer space for half a cow (200-250 lbs of meat). A 10 cubic foot chest freezer costs around $200-400 and is the most common choice. Use our freezer space calculator to find exactly what size freezer you need.

Properly vacuum-sealed beef lasts 12-18 months in the freezer at 0°F. Most farms deliver meat vacuum-packed. Ground beef is best used within 4-6 months for optimal quality.

Hanging weight is the carcass weight after initial processing—this is what you pay for. Take-home weight is 60-65% of hanging weight after butchering. A 350 lb hanging weight yields about 200-225 lbs of packaged meat.

Yes! You fill out a cut sheet telling the butcher exactly how you want your meat processed: steak thickness, roast sizes, how much ground beef, and specialty items like stew meat or short ribs.

Grass-finished beef ate only grass its whole life—leaner with an earthier flavor. Grain-finished beef was fed grain for the last 90-120 days—more marbling and a richer, familiar taste. Both can be raised humanely on pasture.

A cow share — also called a beef share — is when you buy a portion of a whole cow directly from a farm. You can buy a quarter, half, or whole cow and receive the packaged meat after processing. It's different from a raw-milk cow share (where you own part of a living animal for milk). Cow shares save 30-50% on premium cuts compared to grocery prices.

Absolutely—it's one of the most common ways to buy bulk beef. Coordinate with your split partner on the cut sheet (you'll need to agree on steak thickness, roast sizes, etc.), decide how to divide costs (usually by weight), and arrange pickup or delivery. Some farms even help match buyers looking to split.

The main additional cost is processing (butchering), typically $0.75-$1.50 per pound of hanging weight. Some farms include this, others don't—always ask. You may also pay a kill fee ($50-100) and need to budget for a chest freezer ($200-400) if you don't have one. Delivery is sometimes extra for rural areas.