Where Can I Buy A Quarter Beef Near Me? Your Complete Guide

Are you looking to buy a quarter beef for your family but not sure where to find it or what to expect? Purchasing a quarter beef can be a great way to fill your freezer with quality cuts of meat at a wholesale price. However, it does require some planning and coordination. This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a quarter beef locally, from pricing to processing to pickup.

What Exactly is a Quarter Beef?

A quarter beef is literally one quarter of a butchered steer, usually weighing between 100 to 200 pounds. It will include a variety of cuts like steaks, roasts, ground beef, and sometimes offal. You can request specific custom cuts, thickness of steaks, etc. when you order. A quarter beef is an economical way for families to purchase high quality meat in bulk quantity.

Why Should I Buy a Quarter Beef?

There are several advantages to purchasing part of a cow vs buying pre-packaged meat from the grocery store

• Better price per pound – Buying in bulk quarter portions saves you money over retail cut prices Expect to pay $5-7 per pound hanging weight.

• Know your source – You can purchase grass-fed, grain-finished, organic, local beef. Deal directly with the farmer.

• Custom cuts – Order the cuts you want like T-bones, sirloins, roasts, etc. Get the thickness of steaks you prefer. Extra ground beef.

• Fresher meat – The beef is butchered then frozen. No sitting in grocery store shelves. Store in your freezer for up to a year.

• Supports local farms – Your purchase helps support small family farms in your community.

What Are the General Steps to Order?

Here is an overview of the typical process:

1. Select a farm – Find one near you to purchase the quarter beef from. Get pricing and discuss details.

2. Pay a deposit – Put down a deposit, often 25% of expected total cost. This reserves your beef.

3. Customize your order – Work with the farm to select your desired cuts, quantities, etc.

4. Processing – The farm will make arrangements with a butcher to process your quarter beef.

5. Payment – Pay the remaining balance when the finished cuts are ready.

6. Pickup – The farm or butcher will contact you to come pickup your packaged beef. Now ready for your freezer!

What Does a Quarter Beef Cost?

The total cost will depend on a few factors, but plan on $1000-$1200 for around 100-130 lbs of packaged beef. Here is a breakdown of costs:

• Hanging weight – The farm will charge per pound hanging weight, which is the weight of the quartered steer before processing. Approximately $5-7 per lb hanging weight.

• Processing fees – The butcher will charge processing fees in addition to the meat cost. Could be a few hundred dollars.

• Beef cost – Multiply the hanging weight by the farm’s price per pound. Typically $800-1000 for a quarter beef.

• Other costs – Tax, delivery fees, custom cutting fees, etc.

To get a more precise estimate, discuss costs upfront with the specific farm you are purchasing from before putting down a deposit. Many farms price per pound hanging weight for simplicity. Ask if processing fees are included or if that is additional cost.

What Cuts Of Meat Will I Get?

The butcher can customize the cuts based on your preferences, but here are some examples of typical cuts from quarter beef:

Steaks – T-bones, porterhouses, ribeyes, sirloins, chuck, round, etc. You’ll get 14-20 lbs of steaks.

Roasts – Chuck, rump, arm, round, brisket. Around 20 lbs.

Ground beef – You’ll get 30-50 lbs of ground beef from a quarter. Can request patties too.

Other – Short ribs, stew meat, soup bones, brisket, tongue, liver.

Total – Around 100-130 lbs packaged weight from a standard quarter beef.

Discuss with your farm if you want more or less of certain cuts like roasts or if you have any custom cut requests. They can advise you on options.

Where Can I Find A Farm Selling Quarter Beef?

Here are some tips on finding a good beef farm in your local area:

• Ask around – Friends, family, coworkers may have farms they recommend.

• Check online – Search for terms like “grass-fed beef your city” or “quarter beef your state”.

• Farmers markets – Ask vendors at markets if they sell quarter beef.

• Facebook groups – Join local farm, homesteading, or food groups and ask for referrals.

• Beef associations – Check state cattleman’s associations for listings of beef producers.

• Drive around – Scouting rural areas near you can turn up small beef farms.

• Specialty stores – Butchers, health food stores may know local suppliers or sell beef.

• Your county – Check with agricultural extension office for lists of area farms.

Cast a wide net in your search process to find the right beef farm for your family. Make sure to ask about their practices – do they use antibiotics, added hormones, are the cattle grass or grain finished? Understand their pricing structure – is processing included or extra? Do they deliver? Getting the details will help you select the perfect quarter beef.

What Questions Should I Ask The Farm?

Here are key questions to ask when inquiring about purchasing a quarter beef:

• What is your price per pound hanging weight? Is processing included?

• Do you use antibiotics or added hormones?

• Are the cattle grass fed or grain finished?

• What is the turnaround time from order to pickup?

• Can I customize my cut selections?

• Approximately how many pounds of packaged beef will I get?

• Do you deliver or is pickup required? Where is pickup?

• What is your deposit amount to reserve a quarter beef?

• What are your payment options and terms?

Get clarity on all costs and their practices. Understand pickup logistics and scheduling. Building a relationship with the farmer is helpful for getting the ideal quarter beef for your family.

How Long Does It Take?

From the time you order, expect your beef to be ready for pickup in 3-6 weeks typically. Here is the general timeline:

• Order & deposit – Day 1
• Processing – Weeks 1-3
• Pickup – Weeks 4-6

Arrangements have to be made for processing at a butcher shop, so this takes some coordination. Weather or other factors could delay timing. The farm should keep you updated on status.

Ask about current timelines when ordering so you know when to expect your beef. Having an extra month of food in the freezer is helpful as you wait. Plan your freezer space in advance as well.

How Do I Store A Quarter Beef?

You’ll need ample freezer space to store all the meat from a quarter beef. Here are some tips:

• Space needed – Plan for 7-10 cubic feet of freezer space for a quarter’s worth of beef.

• Chest freezers – A medium or large chest freezer has the best space. Upright freezers are tricky.

• Prepare freezer – Make room by eating down current inventory.

• Use containers – Bring ice chests or plastic storage bins to transport the meat.

• Package safely – Package in serving sizes so you don’t thaw more than needed. Use freezer paper between layers.

• Strategize – Plan to use heartier roasts and steaks first. Ground beef and stew meat last longer.

• Rotate – Use oldest beef first and move new packages to the back. Use within 12-18 months.

• Generator – Have a generator or backup plan in case of extended power loss.

With some planning, a quarter beef can be managed in most freezers. Proper storage in a cold freezer will let your beef last a year or more.

What Are Some Tips For Cooking Grass Fed Beef?

If you purchase grass-fed beef, keep these cooking tips in mind:

• Use lower heat – Grass fed beef cooks faster. Use medium or low heat to avoid overcooking.

• Monitor temperature – Grill or pan fry to 5-10°F less than grain fed. Aim for medium rare.

• Sear then slow cook – Sear steaks over high heat then finish slowly baking or braising at lower temp.

• Moist heat – Roasts and tougher cuts benefit from moist cooking methods like stewing, braising.

• Marinate – Marinating steaks adds moisture and flavor.

• Don’t overcook – Check temperature early and often. Overdone meat will be tough.

Because grass fed beef is lower in fat, take care not to cook it too long or hot. Using thermometers, sealing in moisture, and cooking gently yields the best results.

Ready to Order Your Quarter Beef?

Buying a quarter or half beef can be very rewarding for families looking to fill their freezer with premium quality meat at a good value. Though it requires some logistical planning, the end result is having months’ worth of tasty steaks, roasts, and burgers at your fingertips. Finding a trusted local farm to purchase from is the first step – then enjoy the journey from pasture to table!