Buying 1/4 cow direct from the ranch

[Sharpienads]

I'm looking into buying part of a cow (maybe 1/4) instead of shopping for beef at the supermarket. I'm sure people on here do it, too.

Who would you recommend and why? Anything I should know before I go through with this?

Thanks.

[Colorado_Outback]

I think we have a member who does that, I cant recall his user name but I'm sure someone will chime in. It was either beef or pork.. cant remember.

[Mazin]

GilpinGuy did bacon, don't know about the cows.

[Monky]

I haven't bought one in a while. It takes me too long to go through it.

There are a lot of local ranchers who do it. I'm a fan of grass fed/finished cows.. There is a guy in lochbuie(?) I'll try and find his info. It's great for families... I ended up giving lots away because it just is a lot of freezer space


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[crays]

Other options to consider are "freezer bundles" from a reputable meat cutter/butcher in your area. Not sure who's good in CS area now, but Google says to try these for starters:
http://ranchfoodsdirect.com/
http://www.thebutcherblockfreshprimecutmeat.com/
http://www.andysmeatmarket.com/

Bundles are usually a little higher per pound than processing a carcass, but you may be able to tailor it a little more to your needs.
Just a thought, and a start for your research.

[newracer]

I buy a whole pig and 1/2 cow every year. Been buying from the same place for about 20 years. They don't do 1/4s though and I think the furthest they deliver is the Denver area.

[Dave]

ColoFarmer here raises pigs and I've bought 1/2 a pig from him a couple of times. Good guy to deal with and the pork from his farm is good.

[SouthPaw]

Other options to consider are "freezer bundles" from a reputable meat cutter/butcher in your area. Not sure who's good in CS area now, but Google says to try these for starters:
http://ranchfoodsdirect.com/
http://www.thebutcherblockfreshprimecutmeat.com/
http://www.andysmeatmarket.com/

Bundles are usually a little higher per pound than processing a carcass, but you may be able to tailor it a little more to your needs.
Just a thought, and a start for your research.

Thanks for the links. With my current diet and eating about 2lbs of meat a day it can get rather expensive. I will have to compare this to Sams club pricing to see if I can save myself a few bucks or pay a few bucks for better quality.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

For good beef that's growth hormone/steroid free it is NOT cheaper. But it's worth something knowing where you beef came from. My beef will be up here from south east kansas Memorial Day weekend. Select beef.

[Colorado Osprey]

Since you are in the Springs.... I'd recommend just this side of Calhan-- Randy's Custom Processing.
(Not a fan of the cutters listed above in Springs except G&C Packing)

Randy is a State Inspected cutter, but he can put you in touch with a rancher(neighbor or friend) or already have a 1/2 or 1/4 that someone has left as payment that he can sell.

Tell him Ed sent you.
Randy Kerchal 719-347-3204

[earplug]

Some 4H raised animals are available after the fair.
Avoid 1/4's as someone always gets the better end.

[crays]

Thanks for the links. With my current diet and eating about 2lbs of meat a day it can get rather expensive. I will have to compare this to Sams club pricing to see if I can save myself a few bucks or pay a few bucks for better quality.

Just FYI...Those links are in Colo Spgs. I'm sure you can find some in Greely, or close by. Jim and some others have mentioned Arapahoe Meats http://arapahoemeatco.com/ , and there is a shop in Longmont we have had good luck with. http://www.yourbutcherfrank.com/Your_Butcher_Frank/Welcome.html

[DFBrews]

I buy a half a pig abc 1/4 beef every year but it is through a family friend last year worked out to about 3.50 a lb for the beef

[earplug]

For the hell of it I looked at Craigslist. There are some listings for Beef and pork.

[CO Hugh]

I have never done it because I don't think the it is cost effective. People I have talked to wind up spending a lot per pound. Tony's Market used to sell sides, check there. I have also seen ads in the Catholic newspapers.

[crays]

I have also seen ads in the Catholic newspapers.

But then you couldn't use it on Friday's. :p

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[Ah Pook]

Long Family Farms
Talk to John.

Can't find the web addy but here is contact info.

http://www.eastcoloradoevents.com/eaton_co/venues/show/27427-long-family-farms

[Veritas]

Great idea if you can afford it and have a place to store it. The meat is awesome and tastes much better. Tastes great and you're not getting all the hormones from store bought beef. Store stuff almost always leave my stomach upset the next day.

[Great-Kazoo]

Great idea if you can afford it and have a place to store it. The meat is awesome and tastes much better. Tastes great and you're not getting all the hormones from store bought beef. Store stuff almost always leave my stomach upset the next day.

One of, if not the main reason we buy from a small producer and not a chain. Does it cost more, yes. Can you taste, see notice a difference, absolutely. The ribeye we get are on par price wise (when not on sale) with KS & safeway. Yet the cut, marbling far surpass store cut. Not to mention when cooked (ok room temp) you don't have anywhere near the grease (if any) dripping of the pan and steak. The lamb we get beats any store by $2-3.50 lb.

[manbearpig]

I do it a few times a year, depending upon the national prices for beef it's been between $3.30-3.50. This pays for 1/4 of a steer (mixed front and rear) around 185 lbs. $3.50 a pound for everything from t-bones, rib-eyes, roasts and ground beef. I'll never go back to mass produced store bought beef if I can help it. PM if you'd like my butchers number. I don't get any form of kickbacks for this service.


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[sellersm]

If you find someone and need to split with someone (space, cost, whatever), send me a PM. We would be interested...

[def90]

2lbs of meat a day?? [Shock]

[Sharpienads]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm gonna look at some local ranches and see if I can get some samples.

[tmjohnson]

Last I heard G & C closed a month or 2 back.
Jensens over at Fowler and Northern beef in Greeley are both very reputable plants that can help you out

[StagLefty]

I seem to remember the Denver Rescue Mission has a farm that they sell beef from but I can't remember the farm's location.

[Dave]

I have been contemplating 1/2 of either a cow or a bison. But I know my freezer wouldn't hold it all plus the other stuff in there.

[Rooskibar03]

My local butcher, Gourmet Meat and Sausage on jewel, did mine last year. Cost me a little over a grand for a side, I'm sure that's way higher today. He walked me through the process and options. It's a lot of meat, especially for just 3 of us. It's lasted us a very long time, especially the ground beef.

Got a couple of cuts I don't care for but goes with the territory. Ill do again when we eat through it. Wanted to get in on the half hog from member here but timing wasn't right.

[Colorado Osprey]

Referring to the OP in Springs... Talked to Randy today. He has a 1/2 beef he will split up as a quarter hanging presently. He could cut it immediately for you.

[BigBear]

There is a place by my employment that also does the whole/half/quarter beef stuff (grass fed, etc). I've never tried it but am tempted too after this thread.

[SouthPaw]

2lbs of meat a day?? [Shock]

Yes sir. 5-7 meals a day with 6oz of meat and 1.5oz broccoli per meal. That is on top of protein shakes and other supplements. It gets really expensive but this is the healthiest and fittest I have been in my life. So any chance I get to save some money on food by buying in bulk, I glady take it.

[Great-Kazoo]

Yes sir. 5-7 meals a day with 6oz of meat and 1.5oz broccoli per meal. That is on top of protein shakes and other supplements. It gets really expensive but this is the healthiest and fittest I have been in my life. So any chance I get to save some money on food by buying in bulk, I glady take it.

Hormone treatments didn't work ?

[SamuraiCO]

I buy 1/4 every year. Best beef I have ever had. Grassfed. It prices at $3.20 per pound last year.

[rockhound]

Andys in the springs, no need to buy a beef just grab their meat packages

[vim]

We have bought here: http://bluemtnbison.com/

[Vanniek71]

If anyone needs someone to go in on a beef purchase I would be willing to hop on too, the 1/2 I bought last year is down to its last steaks!

Pig
Lamb

I'll eat it if it's made of meat!

[rbeau30]

I'll eat it if it's made of meat!

I believe this is my new life motto.

[10mm-man]

Anyone mention the user: meatman ? He does organic meat, maybe it's buffalo but I think free range cows to.

[cableguy11]

I buy 1/4 at least once a year.... Scottish highland cattle no hormones, steroids or animal by-products. Pricey, but delicious...

[Firehaus]

I buy 1/4 at least once a year.... Scottish highland cattle no hormones, steroids or animal by-products. Pricey, but delicious...

I've always heard it was some of the best tasting beef. Any good recommendations on a local source for it?


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[cableguy11]

I get it from here...http://www.aintrightranch.com/ The owner is a friend of mine.

[colorider]

Beef prices are going to keep going up and up. Buy now.

[KS63]

Just bought a 1/4 beef and pig. The beef was $2.50/lb. Jensen's is the processor and his prices are reasonable IMO. The drive there, in the other hand.....The beef is from a friends family in Ordway.

[Firehaus]

I get it from here...http://www.aintrightranch.com/ The owner is a friend of mine.

Thanks!


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[BladesNBarrels]

Yes sir. 5-7 meals a day with 6oz of meat and 1.5oz broccoli per meal. That is on top of protein shakes and other supplements. It gets really expensive but this is the healthiest and fittest I have been in my life. So any chance I get to save some money on food by buying in bulk, I glady take it.

Seeing this, I remembered reading somewhere about the Lewis & Clark Expedition's meat requirements.
I did find this on the internet:

On July 13, 1805, Clark wrote: “We eat an emensity of meat; it requires 4 deer, or an elk and a deer, or one buffaloe to supply us plentifully 24 hours.” When wild game was plentiful, each man consumed up to 9 pounds of meat in one day.

Can't imagine eating that much meat, but then I am not hauling a boat across the West.

[CO Hugh]

Try this too at Chatfield Botantical Gardens: http://www.chatfieldcsa.org/blog/23488
Purchase a CSA Meat Share with Locavore Delivery

[Herman]

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/133459-Scottish-Highlander

If anyone is interested.