Where to Buy a Quarter Cow (25 Best Sources & Tips)

Looking for where to buy a Quarter Cow? This article is surely going to help.

It reveals as many as 25 very helpful sources and tips for finding a Quarter Cow to buy.

 

Importance

As the cost of food and other consumable products continues to rise in price, many of us, as savvy shoppers, look for ways to cut costs.

We shop on certain days, utilize coupons, shop off of a shopping list, look for sales, look at labels to see what the cost per unit is, etc.

Another cost savings measure is shopping in bulk.

Shopping in bulk became popular in the mid-1970s with the advent of Price Club, and joining the warehouse market niche were Costco, Pace, Sam’s, and BJ’s in 1983.

Warehouse/membership became popular for members to buy in bulk, not pay for frills, and appreciate a variety of other benefits.

Buying in bulk has proven to be an effective way to shop, reduce trips to the store and save money.

Of course, buying in bulk for our consumer needs is not limited to just these warehouse retailers but can be experienced in other ways.

One such way is the purchase of our meats for our dietary needs.

Specifically, the purchase of meats in bulk.

One way to do this is to purchase a quarter of a cow.

 

25 Best Sources & Tips to Help You Know Where to Buy a Quarter Cow

 

Tips

 

1. Defined

When considering buying meat in bulk, there are four different quantities that can be considered.

Those four considerations can include:

• 1/8 portion of the animal
• 1/4
• 1/2
• Whole beef

A 1/4 side of beef will provide all of the standard cuts of meat available and is generally recommended for families with one to two adults and two children.

 

2. Cost

The cost of this amount of beef is dependent upon the going rate, but the customer can count on an average cost of $900 to $1,050.

 

3. Farmer

When it comes to purchasing beef in bulk, you will typically purchase the animal directly from the farmer or rancher.

They will be paid the average amount as listed above.

Also involved in the cost is a deposit that is required by the customer.

Typically there is a $200 deposit required to reserve the portion of beef that you are buying.

 

4. Butcher

Additionally, in the process of purchasing a quarter side of beef, is the need to engage a professional butcher.

The butcher’s fee can range anywhere from $200 to $250.

 

5. Weight

The weight of a quarter portion of beef is in the range of 120 to 180 pounds.

This weight is in total and is prior to additional processing.

When buying a quarter of a side of beef, you will ultimately receive anywhere from 80 to 100 lb of meat from your purchased cow.

The cost of a quarter of a cow is close to an $8 per pound range, which includes the processing.

 

6. Hanging Weight

When you purchase a quarter side of beef, the price is based on the hanging weight.

The hanging weight is also known as the butchered weight, and it is the poundage of the animal minus any unusable parts.

Prior to the meat being cut, it is hung in a cooler and ages up to 10 days to 2 weeks.

During this process, moisture is lost, which does affect the weight.

Any unnecessary fat or bone is removed from the cutting process, which also affects the home weight.

 

7. Meat

The cuts of meat that a customer will receive when purchasing a quarter of a cow would include:

• New York steaks
• Rib steaks
• Tenderloin
• Sirloin
• Roasts
• Ribs
• Stew Meat
• Ground beef

 

8. Freezer Space

Storage to freeze a quarter side of beef is an important consideration.

Typically to store this amount of beef would require room in half of a small chest freezer or roughly a quarter of a small upright freezer.

 

9. Time – In Home

When storing your meat in a freezer, the typical order will, of course, be dependent upon how much meat you eat.

As far as the beef staying fresh in the freezer, that time frame could range from one year to one and a half years.

 

10. Process Time

When you create your order from a supplier, the processing time can vary.

This would be a question that you would need to ask as some suppliers butcher only in the spring or fall while other farms conduct this process more frequently.

For example, Heartland Beef Farm will have your order ready in three to four weeks.

 

11. Advantage

The advantages of purchasing cows directly from a Rancher or Farm include:

• Supporting a local farmer
• Minimize travel distance
• Taste
• Cost savings
• Sharing with family and friends
• Etc .

 

12. Research

If in the market to purchase a quarter of beef, it is important to conduct one’s research.

There are a number of farms that can accommodate an individual’s request.

Your research could include answers to questions such as:

• The care of the animal
• The grazing process
• Any reviews that you can find about the farmer
• Cost

 

13. Comparison

As with anything else, when considering the purchase of a quarter side of beef, it is important to do comparison shopping.

Not all farms or companies that offer this product operate the same way.

For example, some companies will sell you the animal and make arrangements for the animal to be processed by an outside butcher, while other entities may have in-house capabilities, which could possibly increase or decrease your cost.

Also, shipping would be a major factor as to whether they will make arrangements to ship the meat or whether you need to be in close proximity to the rancher or company that you utilize.

 

14. Deposit

Many companies want to ensure that the purchase by the buyer is followed through.

Therefore, they will require a deposit.

As it relates to a deposit, it is important to know whether that deposit is returned to you or if it can be applied to the total overall cost.

 

15. Grass Fed

Another important consideration is how the animals graze or are fed.

One of the ways that an animal can be fed is by allowing them to graze on grass.

Grass-fed livestock is considered by the USDA as organic, and typically the animals that are grass-fed are found to be higher in various vitamins as well as antioxidants.

In addition, grass-fed animals have significantly lower levels of saturated fat.

 

16. Grain Fed

The other feeding option for livestock is that they are fed grains or corn.

Grain-fed cows are typically larger, but the texture of the meat is fattier and not as healthy for the consumer.

 

Where to Buy

 

17. Local

One of the better options when looking for a company to buy a 1/4 of beef would be to purchase locally.

This can be accomplished by taking to the Internet and utilizing a search engine would keywords such as the purchase of beef, buying beef locally from a farmer or rancher, etc.

This will support the local individual with their sales and realization of revenue as well as provide you the option to visit the local ranchland.

The purpose is to evaluate and determine how the animals are treated and cared for and to talk to the local individual.

 

18. Directory

Another way to discover what resources are available to purchase beef is to utilize a directory that may be part of your return when searching online.

The directory may reflect a group of farmers or ranchers that have joined the listing of beef suppliers.

In this directory will be an opportunity to review various providers and reflect on important information about their beef products, such as:

• Beef Quality Assurance
• Natural
• USDA Organic
• Grass Fed
• Grain Finished

The directory would be a convenient way of determining what beef providers are available and any guarantees related to the provision of their beef.

 

19. Heartland Beef Farm

Heartland Beef Farm provides all-natural farm-raised beef.

They sell individual cuts of beef as well as in large quantities, such as:

• Whole
• Half
• Quarter

The meat can be purchased at their local store, or shipping arrangements can be made, and for a quote, the interested customer can e-mail the company at heartlandbeef@gmail.com.

They are located in Harrisburg, Illinois.

Click here to check out Heartland Beef Farm

 

20. Mariposa Ranch

Located in Turlock, CA, Mariposa Ranch specializes in grass-fed beef.

The animals are grass-fed and grass-finished.

In addition to selling specific cuts of meat, they also offer, for sale, larger quantities of beef.

As of this writing, the cost for a quarter portion of beef is priced at $1,106 for 100 pounds of beef product.

Shipping is reliably available to residents in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Arizona.

Customer orders from other states will be reviewed when the order is placed to determine whether safe delivery can be accommodated.

This ranch has been in business since 2006.

Click here to check out Mariposa Ranch

 

21. Flemings Beef

A Texas base beef provider is Flemings Beef.

In addition to offering larger quantities to the customers, they also offer specialized packages of different meat and work products.

They specialize in the Angus breed and indicate that they accommodate special orders.

Located in Montgomery or Lake Livingston, local delivery is available along with shipping to eligible locations within 48 hours of the initial shipping process.

Click here to check out Flemings Beef

 

22. Nebraska Star Beef

At Nebraska Star Beef, you can order a quarter of beef in the amount of $1029.99.

The weight of what they define as a “perfect quarter” is 65 pounds and is comprised of one-quarter of popular steaks along with Chuck Roast, Brisket, Tri-Tip, Hanger Steaks, and Chuck Steak.

In addition, adding to their customer service, shipping is free on all orders over $250.

Click here to check out Nebraska Star Beef

 

23. Christensen Ranch

Christensen Ranch is located in Weldona, CO.

The Angus meat product that they provide is pasture-raised and corn-finished.

Also, they indicate that their stock is antibiotic-free, hormone growth free and dry-aged.

They also offer beef in bulk which includes the purchase of a quarter portion of the animal.

The availability of bulk purchase is available all year round.

Customized beef orders must be picked up, but quantities in a quarter or one-half cuts can be shipped.

On their website, they indicate that a quarter of beef cut averages $700 plus processing.

Click here to check out Christensen Ranch

 

24. Hannah Family Farm

Hannah Family Farm offers a packaged one-quarter side of beef in the amount of $1,200. The weight of this package is 100 pounds.

The package offered includes cuts of meat such as:

• Filet Mignon
• Rib Eye
• New York Steaks
• Ribs
• Roasts
• Ground Beef
• And more

This farm is located in North Carolina, and their meat products are free of herbicides and pesticides and all-natural.

The purchase of a quarter amount of beef is, at this writing, $1,200, which includes shipping.

Click here to check out Hannah Family Farm

 

25. Schenker Farms

Located in Kansas, Schenker Farms offers a quarter-split side of beef at the cost of $999.

A variety of 60 pound of different cuts of meat comprise this package.

The total price includes all related meat processing and packaging costs.

Delivery for this package is during the mid to late month of September.

Click here to check out Schenker Farms

 

Personal Story

I had arrived in the new community and had taken on a job with a not-for-profit that required me to provide oversight of the staff and services offered but also to engage with other community leaders.

The Board of Directors thought it was a good idea for me to be involved in a leadership program that was offered through the Chamber of Commerce.

Each month we would travel to different businesses within the community to learn more about their operation and for us to become more effective leaders in the community.

One of the places of business that we visited was a food processing plant.

On this particular occasion, it proved to be an eye-opening experience as I observed how the poultry was processed.

It did not make me become a vegetarian, but I certainly came away with a deeper appreciation for those in this business who work hard and diligently to provide for others, as well as to gain a deeper respect for the food that is provided for us that we, sometimes, don’t think about all of the steps involved.

 

Buying Quarter Cow FAQs

 

What is the Average Realized Profit for a Rancher or Farmer Per Cow Sold?

According to Feed Lot Magazine, the average profit per cow is $665 per cow.

 

Has the Consumption of Red Meat Decreased in America?

According to Business Insider, the consumption of red meat in America is on the rise.

With the growth in sales, 2020 saw a rise in the sale of meat mushrooms to $30.3 billion.

 

You Can Do It

If you enjoy, as part of your diet, eating quality red meat, there are a variety of ways that you can reasonably purchase that meat in large quantities that can be stored in your freezer to feed your family or shared with others.

By searching online, you can research a variety of meat suppliers that will charge you by the pound and have the various cuts of that meat delivered to you at a fairly reasonable cost.

The other advantage of dealing directly with ranchers or farmers is that you have various guarantees as to how the animal was fed and whether the product that is provided is organically sound with no added antibiotics or hormone injected substances.

 

Conclusion

Buying wholesale and in large quantities is not limited to toilet paper, large bags of frozen vegetables, or other sizeable quantities of any other consumable goods.

Buying in large quantities can also include meat products, and in particular, you can purchase a considerable quantity or pounds of red meat.

By researching online, there are a number of direct farms and ranches that you can reach out to and buy a quarter, half or whole steer at a discounted price that can be pre-packaged into various cuts and delivered at a reasonable price.