How Much Does a Quarter Side of Beef Cost? Pricing Out Your Options

Nothing beats the satisfaction of stocking your freezer with delicious, locally-raised beef. If you’re ready to take the plunge into purchasing a quarter side of beef, one key question is – what will this tasty investment set you back? Beef prices fluctuate and depend on your source Let’s break down the costs so you can determine if a quarter beef fits your budget.

Average Price Per Pound

Most beef farmers price quarters based on hanging weight, which is the weight of the harvested animal minus the head, hide hooves, and organs. This represents the usable meat you’ll receive back from the processor.

Hanging weight prices typically range from:

Grass-fed & Organic: $7-9 per lb
Grain-finished: $4-6 per lb

So if the hanging weight of your quarter is 200 lbs at $5 per lb, the meat would cost $1000. The processor’s cut and wrap fees will be extra.

Estimated Weight & Total Cost

The hanging weight of a beef quarter ranges from:

Smaller breed steer: 175-225 lbs
Larger breed steer: 225-275 lbs

Using a mid-range estimate of 200 lbs at $5.50 per lb, the meat cost would be approximately $1100. With processing fees included, expect to budget $1200-1400 for a quarter beef.

For 100% grass-fed or organic meat, plan on $1400-1800 for a quarter averaging 200 lbs.

Cost Comparison Per Serving

Comparing costs per serving is helpful to evaluate if a quarter beef fits your budget.

Let’s assume 200 lbs of packaged beef with an average cost of $1300. With approximately 640 servings per quarter, that’s around $2 per serving.

Purchasing equivalent cuts at the grocery store would cost $4-6 per serving for non-organic beef. So quarters represent a noticeable savings, with the bonus of knowing your source.

Variables Impacting Price

Several factors influence quarter beef pricing:

Breed of cattle
Grain-finished vs grass-finished diets
Organic or conventional raising practices
Weight of the animal at harvest
Physical location – regional beef prices vary

Ask any suppliers about their specific practices to understand pricing differences and options.

Buying a Quarter Beef Share

If purchasing a whole quarter is out of reach, consider going in on a quarter with family or friends. You can split up the meat evenly, or claim your favorite cuts first.

Our family of 4 split a quarter 5 ways with relatives. That brought our total cost down to just over $200 each.

Splitting beef is a great way to save money and still fill your freezer. Shop around with others who may be interested to make the quarter affordab

Tips for Keeping Costs Down

A few suggestions to score an economical quarter of beef:

Find the best deal locally by comparing pricing
Go in on a quarter with others and split the costs
Check for any discounts for multiple quarters or halves
Provide your own freezer wrap and boxes to cut processing fees
Focus on secondary cuts like brisket, stew meat, etc.

While not cheap, purchasing part of a locally raised beef cow can offer quality meat for less overall. With some savvy shopping and sharing, you can likely find a quarter beef to fit your budget.

So pull out your calculator, ask local farmers for current pricing, and start planning your perfect quarter beef order today! Your family will thank you for the freezer full of fantastic steaks, roasts, and ground beef.

How Much Meat Do You Get From A 1/4 Cow

FAQ

Is buying a 1/4 cow worth it?

So, is buying a 1/4 cow worth it? Yes, if you value quality, transparency, sustainability, and are willing to support a more equitable food system. It’s a value that goes beyond cost, reaching into your health, environment, community, and sense of justice.

How long will 1/4 cow last in a family of 4?

That means if you are a family of two who eats a total of two pounds of beef each week, you will be set for an entire year when you purchase a quarter of beef. Our family of 4 adults eats a quarter beef each year.

How big of freezer for 1/4 cow?

Calculate the Quarter Beef Volume If your quarter beef yields 80 pounds of meat, you will need approximately 5 to 7 cubic feet of freezer space. For a quarter beef yielding 100 pounds of meat, you will need approximately 6 to 8 cubic feet of freezer space.

What cuts of meat do you get from a 1/4 cow?

You should expect a mix of steaks, roasts, ground and stew meat. Roughly speaking, 1/2 of your meat will be ground and stew, 1/4 will be roasts (chuck, shoulder, rump, sirloin tip etc.) and 1/4 will be steaks (sirloin, prime / rib, T-bone, filet mignon, tenderloin etc.).

How much does a quarter of beef cost?

Our cost, broken down, for a quarter of beef: We brought home right around 100 pounds of beef for our quarter, roughly 77% of the hanging weight. To find the average price of take-home meat, I divided our total cost ($479.13) by our final meat received (100 pounds). This totaled roughly $4.80 per pound of take-home meat.

How much does a pound of beef cost in Texas?

Texas Beef Company offers a quarter side of beef for a non-refundable deposit of $250, with the final price based on the hanging weight of the beef at $6.50 per pound. Bastrop Cattle Co. offers half and whole cows, with prices ranging from $9.25 to $18.50 per pound for half cows and $8.70 to $34.80 per pound for whole cows.

How much does a half cow cost at Texas Beef Company?

A quarter cow costs between $900 and $1,100, a half cow costs between $1,500 and $1,800, and a whole cow costs between $2,800 and $3,200. Texas Beef Company offers a quarter side of beef for a non-refundable deposit of $250, with the final price based on the hanging weight of the beef at $6.50 per pound.

How much does a half cow cost per pound?

When you compare the price per pound for finished cuts and hanging weight, a whole or half cow is comparable in cost. However, a quarter cow costs between $8 and $12 more than both. 48 – $15. 62 per pound. That’s $0. 47 – $0. Choosing a quarter cow will cost you 79 cents more per pound.