Side of Beef

[mikeyis4dcats.]

School me on getting a side of beef. A buddy asked if we'd like to split a side of beef. Sounds like they're talking $1440+350 processing for a 1200# steer, net about 750#.

That a decent deal? How much freezer space should I expect to need?

[Pointer19]

I don't have any knowledge on this thread, but I'm going to have to find a steer splittin' buddy when I get a house back west.

[jspchief]

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop

Hind quarter has more steak. Limit your roasts . If your family is large, a side is good. A hind quarter works for 2-3 person households.

Often you don't get the choice of getting the hind quarter. You're getting a "half of a half" where they divide the cuts evenly between the two people.

The meat locker will go through the cuts with you over the phone. They go through a checklist or sorts; "do you want X or Y?" Etc. You have some flexibility, but not "make all mine into ribeyes" level of choice.

The meat isn't going to be trimmed like it is in a grocery. You may finds some cuts that are more fatty or grisly than what you're used to. Not to say better or worse in regards to taste, but different . If you're not the type to eat meat from your freezer, you may find it difficult to get in the routine. I buy fresh and cook it within a day or two, so I personally had issues planning ahead and thawing things (I hate thawing via microwave).

[HonestChieffan]

Ive raised and sold a ton of beef on the hoof. And a half can be a great thing if you have kids especially. But you won't be saving a lot of money. And if you are a good buyer at Costco and have a freezer and a vac sealer, Costco will be better...great met, very competitive prices, have some great sales on choice and prime. Off the farm like you describe will likley grade select or choice

The processor can screw u huge if they do all their ground beef as same same....you end up with who knows what.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by jjchieffan

I thought that you were getting half of 750 pounds. But you said that you are getting half of the side, so roughly 185 pounds or so? If so, then your 7cf freezer should be enough unless it is already pretty full.

yeah, you are correct. It is pretty full though, would probably want to upgrade.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by HonestChieffan

Ive raised and sold a ton of beef on the hoof. And a half can be a great thing if you have kids especially. But you won't be saving a lot of money. And if you are a good buyer at Costco and have a freezer and a vac sealer, Costco will be better...great met, very competitive prices, have some great sales on choice and prime. Off the farm like you describe will likley grade select or choice

The processor can screw u huge if they do all their ground beef as same same....you end up with who knows what.

we don't have Costco, only Sams. We do buy 90/10 burger there, and the occasional ribeye when they have a good deal (8.99/lb or better).

[O.city]

We always do a third of the side of beef with 2 other buddies. I always buy steaks and high end meat for occasions so we just get hamburger meat, roasts, etc and throw in the freezer.

Sounds like a good deal.

[R Clark]

Beef grades out at 65 percent ,I think fat cattle are selling for around a dollar and fourteen cents

[displacedinMN]

IF I remember right from when dad gave us 1/2

a 1200 pound animal will yield around 62% meat so that is 756 pounds. Divided by 1/2 is:
378 pounds of meat. Any one can feel free to correct me.

How ever you work it out for cost and processing is the multiplier. It still comes out to paying less for a pound of 93% lean hamburger compared to $6 at the store. Prime meat you save more.


Think about:
How long does the butcher hang it? Longer the better.

How much hamburger you want. do you want it in patties. How many in a pack? Do you want 1 pound or two pound packs of regular hamburger?

How thick do you want the steaks. 1" 1 1/2" Bigger steaks-less steaks. Don't invite the whole family and friends over for steaks, or you will never have any for yourself.
Long story about ex-sis in law bitch.

Prime rib? seasoned? Roasts seasoned or not?

keeping liver or tongue? Yuck



I think we have a 16 cu ft freezer and our 1/2 almost fills it.

[HemiEd]

Good thread with some good information.

We get a 1/4 every year and I still picked up on some good points.

The processor our farmer uses was putting the hamburger in approx 2 lb. packs and I finally got it changed to 1 lb. The 2 lb. led to a lot of waste and over indulging for the two of us.

He wraps the roast and steaks in plastic them freezer wrap as mentioned, never had a problem with freezer burn.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

School me on getting a side of beef. A buddy asked if we'd like to split a side of beef. Sounds like they're talking $1440+350 processing for a 1200# steer, net about 750#.

That a decent deal? How much freezer space should I expect to need?

your hanging weight is 750?
your 'in the freezer' will rise and fall with the amount of deboning/grind that you turn in on your cut sheet. You should expect from 55 to 75% of the hang weight to be packaged. 65 is the 'rule of thumb'.

Custom cuts, tenderizing, deboning, ect, also add to processing costs.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

School me on getting a side of beef. A buddy asked if we'd like to split a side of beef. Sounds like they're talking $1440+350 processing for a 1200# steer, net about 750#.

That a decent deal? How much freezer space should I expect to need?

You wanna die early? I mean, I apparently do, I eat steak and red meat about 2 or 3 times a week. But shit, thats a ton of meat.

[Bwana]

I was just thinking about this today. I think I'm going to order a half right after the first of the year.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by BWillie

You wanna die early? I mean, I apparently do, I eat steak and red meat about 2 or 3 times a week. But shit, thats a ton of meat.

My grandpa died at 93 and ate red meat at 90% of meals.

[threebag]

I got an "in"at my butcher. I just bought Choice NY strip in cryovac and it worked out to less than $3.00 a pound. Angus grain fed beef. No antibiotics no hormones. I regularly get deals like this. A couple months ago i bought about 12 briskets at a Buck a pound. It has been a burnt end extravaganza

[Bwana]

Originally Posted by threebag02

I got an "in"at my butcher. I just bought Choice NY strip in cryovac and it worked out to less than $3.00 a pound. Angus grain fed beef. No antibiotics no hormones. I regularly get deals like this. A couple months ago i bought about 12 briskets at a Buck a pound.

Damn those are some sweet prices. I have access to a wholesaler myself, these guys have all kinds of meat even seafood like crab, lobster and shrimp. I need to compare what he can do for me compared to the butcher I normally use.