Half Beef

Fill your freezer with premium, locally raised beef while saving money compared to purchasing individual cuts.

A half beef is an excellent choice for families who want to stock their freezer with high-quality beef without needing the freezer space or larger upfront investment of purchasing a whole animal. You'll receive a wide variety of steaks, roasts, ground beef, and other cuts, all custom cut to your preferences by our USDA-inspected processor.

Our cattle are:

• 100% Grass-Fed & Grass-Finished
• Raised on pasture their entire lives
• Never fed grain
• Never given growth hormones
• Never given antibiotics
• Raised with a focus on animal welfare and regenerative farming

How It Works

1. Reserve your half beef by paying the deposit.
2. On processing day, once we receive the hanging weight from the processor, we'll calculate your final balance and charge the remaining amount to the credit card on file.
3. After the balance is received, the processor will contact you directly to discuss your custom cutting instructions.
4. When your beef is ready for pickup, the processor will contact you. You'll pay them directly for the processing fees.

How Much Beef Will I Receive?

Our recent beef hanging weights have ranged from about 700 to 900 pounds, with upcoming animals expected to fall primarily in the 800-900 pound range.

A half beef represents approximately half of the hanging weight.

For example:

• 800 lb. hanging weight = approximately 400 lb. half
• Take-home packaged beef is typically 60-65% of the hanging weight, depending on your cutting instructions.
• A 400 lb. half would generally yield about 240-260 pounds of packaged beef.

For many families, that's enough premium grass-fed beef to enjoy a wide variety of steaks, roasts, and ground beef for months while fitting comfortably in a typical chest freezer.

Your actual take-home weight varies based on:

• Hanging weight
• Bone-in vs. boneless cuts
• Trim preferences
• Fat trimming
• Specialty requests

Pricing

Our beef is priced at $7.10 per pound hanging weight.

Example:

An 800 lb. hanging weight animal:

• Half hanging weight: 400 lbs.
• Beef purchase: 400 lbs. × $7.10 = $2,840

Processing fees are paid directly to the processor and are separate from the purchase price.

Based on current processing costs, most customers should expect the total all-in cost (beef plus processing) to average approximately $11-$13 per pound of packaged beef brought home to fill your freezer, although the exact amount depends on the animal's hanging weight and your cutting instructions.

Purchasing a half beef is an excellent way to lower your cost per pound compared to buying individual cuts while filling your freezer with premium, locally raised beef.

Custom Cutting Instructions

One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a half beef is being able to customize many of the cuts.

You'll work directly with the processor to choose options such as:

• Steak thickness
• Roast sizes
• Package sizes for ground beef
• Vacuum sealed or wrapped in white butcher paper
• Bone-in or boneless cuts
• Soup bones
• Organ meats (if desired)
• Short ribs, brisket, flank steak, skirt steak, and more

You will also have the option to request 21-day dry aging. The standard processing is approximately 14 days of aging, but many customers choose the longer aging period for additional tenderness and flavor.

If you've never purchased bulk beef before, don't worry—the processor will walk you through every option.

Processing & Pickup

Your whole beef will be custom processed by Eureka Locker, a USDA-inspected processing facility located in Eureka, Illinois.

After we deliver your animal to the processor, Eureka Locker will contact you directly to discuss your cutting instructions, including your preferred aging time, and answer any processing-related questions.

Once processing is complete, you will pick up your finished beef directly from Eureka Locker.

Please note that processing fees charged by Eureka Locker are separate from the price of your beef and are paid directly to the processor at the time of pickup.

Freezer Space

A half beef typically requires approximately 10-14 cubic feet of freezer space.

As a general guideline:

• 7 cubic foot freezer: Usually too small
• 10 cubic foot freezer: A good fit for most half beef orders
• 14-16 cubic foot freezer: Plenty of room with space left for other foods

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will my beef last?

Properly frozen, your beef should maintain excellent quality for 18-24 months, although many customers enjoy it well beyond that. Vacuum-sealed beef generally provides the longest freezer life, while beef wrapped in traditional white butcher paper is an excellent option for customers who plan to utilize the beef in a shorter timeframe.

Is my beef vacuum sealed?

That's up to you! During your cutting instructions with the processor, you can choose either vacuum-sealed packaging or traditional white butcher paper, depending on your preference.

Do I have to decide on my cuts today?

No. You'll make your cutting and packaging decisions after the animal is delivered to the processor.

When do I pay?

Your deposit will be charged to the credit card on file shortly after you place your order.

On processing day, once we receive the hanging weight from the processor, we'll calculate your final balance and charge the remaining amount to the same card. Processing fees are paid separately to the processor when you pick up your beef.

Can I split a half beef with someone else?

Absolutely. While many customers purchase a half beef for their own family, you're welcome to split it with friends or relatives after pickup if you'd like. 

Reserve Your Half Beef Today

A half beef is an excellent way to fill your freezer with premium grass-fed beef while enjoying a wide variety of cuts and a lower cost than purchasing them individually. For many families, it's the perfect combination of convenience, value, and freezer-friendly quantity.

If you have any questions, we're always happy to help. Contact us.