View Full Version : Price of beef dropping? Time to buy a side?
Rooskibar03
08-09-2012, 18:47
So I've had two clients tell me now is the time to buy your beef as ranchers can't afford to feed the herd they are sending them to market in large numbers.
So I'm thinking about buying a side from my local butcher. Anyone ever done this? Is it good deal or will I end up with a freezer full of stuff I'll never eat?
Any thoughts.
My Inlaws have, and they have been pleased with the quality and price when doing it that way. It does take a while to get through.
I've never done it, between the two deer tags, and one elk tag every year, (and maybe a piece or two of moose left over) I never have room for that much beef.
Rooski I was looking into getting a 1/4 myself.. from a grassfed local place.. Only problem I'm having is talking to people when you only go in for 1/4 you don't get as much of the good cuts.. tons of ground beef..
But now is apparently the time to order.
Heard that too. Best way I reckon is to go in on a half with another party, then split all cuts evenly.
i'd never go in on less than a half, splitting in quarters leaves someone pissed off.
I had one butcher steal portions of the good cuts, so make sure you trust them.
Rooskibar03
08-09-2012, 19:03
Heard that too. Best way I reckon is to go in on a half with another party, then split all cuts evenly.
What's a ballpark number for a side? Is the price better for a whole thing? If so maybe I need to find someone to go halfs with.
We did a 1/4, ended up under $4 per pound, very happy with it.
I think the organic stuff, after rancher and farmer mark up is in the $400/side price rance, and mid $700s whole, but that is IIRC. Anything near $2.00/lb (non-organic) is very good on a whole, smaller units are more per lb.
I know that's some disjoint info, but I don't have alot of info or experience getting whole cows worth of beef.
On another note, my Aunt/Uncle raise a few beef near Kiowa, all grass fed. They mainly do it for the rancher tax break, so maybe a dozen in any given year, but they are on top of it, and all grass fed on their acreage.
I could see what they charge for whole cow, and see what the butchers charge for a whole cow, and perhaps we can get a few people together to split a couple.
Rooskibar03
08-09-2012, 19:16
On another note, my Aunt/Uncle raise a few beef near Kiowa, all grass fed. They mainly do it for the rancher tax break, so maybe a dozen in any given year, but they are on top of it, and all grass fed on their acreage.
I could see what they charge for whole cow, and see what the butchers charge for a whole cow, and perhaps we can get a few people together to split a couple.
I'd be interested in knowing more. I'm going call the butcher near my house in the am and see where he is at.
theGinsue
08-09-2012, 19:21
I spoke with the butcher at the Peterson AFB Commissary about 2 weeks ago & he told me their next delivery of meat (scheduled for a few days later) was going to have much lower prices for the very reason the OP mentioned - the drought is causing ranchers to have to buy a lot more feed & it's killing them financially.
The problem with this perceived windfall for the consumer is that ranchers usually spread out their cattle/hog sales throughout the year. With so much of the animals going to slaughter now is that there will be a lot less meat come the winter months & he expects prices to skyrocket. I believe him.
If you can afford to buy bulk meat now (a side of beef and some pork..) and you have freezer space for it (or you 'can' meat, right Jerry?!), you should do it.
im interested in going halves with someone
I spoke with the butcher at the Peterson AFB Commissary about 2 weeks ago & he told me their next delivery of meat (scheduled for a few days later) was going to have much lower prices for the very reason the OP mentioned - the drought is causing ranchers to have to buy a lot more feed & it's killing them financially.
The problem with this perceived windfall for the consumer is that ranchers usually spread out their cattle/hog sales throughout the year. With so much of the animals going to slaughter now is that there will be a lot less meat come the winter months & he expects prices to skyrocket. I believe him.
If you can afford to buy bulk meat now (a side of beef and some pork..) and you have freezer space for it (or can meat, right Jerry?!), you should do it.
That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the heads up.
If I go for a half.. I'm going to need a bigger boat (freezer)!
theGinsue
08-09-2012, 19:26
J - I very well might be interested. If you find out the prices, please let us (me) know.
Do you know if the quoted prices include butchering?
ETA: Anyone know if "meat lockers" still exist?
J - I very well might be interested. If you find out the prices, please let us (me) know.
Do you know if the quoted prices include butchering?
ETA: Anyone know if "meat lockers" still exist?
I use jensens in fowler, they kill, age, cut and wrap. just drop it off and they will call you in a week or two when it's ready.
http://jensensblueribbonprocessing.com/
theGinsue
08-09-2012, 19:32
Car-15 - do you recall what they charge for that service?
I've heard those prices over te last couple of years. Some organic, others not. All butchered. I know it was disjoint, but those were the prices I have heard first hand from purchasers.
Note that the near $2.00/lb is on the bone for cuts that are normally left on the bone. So there is some non edible weight in there.
Car-15 - do you recall what they charge for that service?
it's been over a year, but iirc it was like $250.00 from trailer to freezer, I think the cow was 740 pounds on the hoof, that did not include the cost of the animal.
Rooskibar03
08-09-2012, 19:40
it's been over a year, but iirc it was like $250.00 from trailer to freezer, I think the cow was 740 pounds on the hoof, that did not include the cost of the animal.
So dumb question but assuming one doesn't have his or her own cow does a place like this offer them or are the strictly a butchering facility?
That is a light cow
Most butchers will tell you to take half from on the hoof weight to get to bone-in butchered weight.
And half from skinned, guttered, quartered, de-headed to get to bone out weight.
Great-Kazoo
08-09-2012, 19:44
I spoke with the butcher at the Peterson AFB Commissary about 2 weeks ago & he told me their next delivery of meat (scheduled for a few days later) was going to have much lower prices for the very reason the OP mentioned - the drought is causing ranchers to have to buy a lot more feed & it's killing them financially.
The problem with this perceived windfall for the consumer is that ranchers usually spread out their cattle/hog sales throughout the year. With so much of the animals going to slaughter now is that there will be a lot less meat come the winter months & he expects prices WILL skyrocket. I believe him.
If you can afford to buy bulk meat now (a side of beef and some pork..) and you have freezer space for it (or you 'can' meat, right Jerry?!), you should do it.
No doubt about it. A guy i know deals in feed? and says the ranchers are not getting the corn they need and only getting worse. What you will save now, at current availability of corn will have easily doubled in price come winter. If you look at how much corn is used throughout the industry, sticker shock will really have some folks twittering away on FB, seeing how they think meat and poultry comes from..........the back of the grocery store.
That is a light cow
Most butchers will tell you to take half from on the hoof weight to get to bone-in butchered weight.
And half from skinned, guttered, quartered, de-headed to get to bone out weight.
yes it was,I fixed it, it was 740 pounds I was trying to eat pizza and type.
That makes a LOT more sense [Beer]
spittoon
08-09-2012, 19:56
well if the cut weight is low buy it shoot it and get of your ass and cut it your self [Tooth] save some cash
John Long
Long Family Farms
970-454-2977
John is good people and been around forever. Split a side with the inlaws about two years ago. Everything was precut, packaged and frozen.
Great-Kazoo
08-09-2012, 20:02
Just got off phone with my game & meat processor. He says triple by end of summer.
I was quoted $1.50 lb live and $250 a side hanging for processing on average.
tmjohnson
08-09-2012, 20:04
I know a guy that has 25 or 30 organic raised steers. Steers are jersey/holstein cross. He likes cash and you would have to pickup.
well if the cut weight is low buy it shoot it and get of your ass and cut it your self [Tooth] save some cash
I'm all for the idea, but I've done a few deer myself. After hours of cussing, I still end up with less meat and worse cuts than a pro. And that's even after doing a few for practice.
I suppose if the butcher is ripping you off, it makes sense, but the extra meat and less hassle is usually worth it for me these days (when I'm not a poor fresh-out-of-college kid) to just let a pro do it.
I'll be interested in a half.
yankeefan98121
08-09-2012, 22:18
My and wife and I only buy sides (or halves). We get ours from a local guy, out of Platteville, for about 3 years now and have been very pleased. Prices have been the same since we started, whether the trading cost has gone down or up (sometimes it goes in his favor sometimes in ours), $2.25 hanging and it equals out to be $3/lb to my freezer after processing cost ($50 kill fee per cow + .70/lb processing Hudson Lockers http://www.hudsonlockers.com/)
Our last purchase was a half and to our freezer was 272lbs (average we've been getting per cow from him is 540-600lbs to our freezer)
Locally grown is almost as good as organic but well worth the savings from certified and it's far superior than the box store meat.
Even though our next purchase isn't until January, we already have one with our name on it, I'm sure I can set you up with my contact or if you want me to be the contact point I can certainly do that as well. just pm me
If I don't get an elk I'll go in with someone. I would be interested in buying a whole as my family would want some too. we could split up the cuts evenly and the price as well.
I'll have to talk to the wife, but this sounds like a great idea. Anybody in Parker interested in a half? Or any recommendations for a butcher near Parker/SE metro area? Give me a good reason to clean out the damn freezer anyway.
Great-Kazoo
08-10-2012, 00:57
Arapaho meats in Louisville is one of the places we deal with.
Rooskibar03
08-10-2012, 10:00
So I just got back from the butcher shop near my house I use for everyday meat purchases. They offer sides @ 3.49 per pound hanging weight, which averages 350-380lb per side
He has a order sheet that allows you to lay out how you want everything cut and then aged 5 weeks and double wrapped in freezer paper.
No real deal for going in on a whole cow here. I've used him for years for meat and always have great quality but I'm still curious what others are getting quoted before I pull the trigger.
I was amazed at how much it really is. I need to buy a freezer, but with a 5 week wait I will have time to find the right one.
Here is a copy of his order guide for those that are interested.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm251/cmuthard03/th_99ec051e.jpg (http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/mm251/cmuthard03/?action=view¤t=99ec051e.jpg)
I'm not sure it is so great a deal as the yield is not as much as people may assume:
A side of beef will yield the following:
- 8 Porterhouses
- 8 Sirloins
- 8 T-Bones
- 10 Ribeyes
- 50 lbs. of Ground Beef
- 10 lbs. of Stew Beef
- And a wide variety of lesser known cuts
Read more: How to Buy a Side of Beef | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4750747_buy-side-of-beef.html#ixzz23A5BRL5U
Check other websites and college extension websites. You wind up with a lot of lower quality cuts that you don't use versus quality cuts at the store or Costco.
Tony's Market used to list sides on their versed at 3.69 a pound. I'd call them and use it as a benchmark for pricing.
Tonys is also a great place to buy items for game processing like sausage mix and casings.
I spoke with the butcher at the Peterson AFB Commissary about 2 weeks ago & he told me their next delivery of meat (scheduled for a few days later) was going to have much lower prices for the very reason the OP mentioned - the drought is causing ranchers to have to buy a lot more feed & it's killing them financially.
The problem with this perceived windfall for the consumer is that ranchers usually spread out their cattle/hog sales throughout the year. With so much of the animals going to slaughter now is that there will be a lot less meat come the winter months & he expects prices to skyrocket. I believe him.
If you can afford to buy bulk meat now (a side of beef and some pork..) and you have freezer space for it (or you 'can' meat, right Jerry?!), you should do it.
At costco sirloin dropped $1.00 a pound over a couple weeks. That is what I expect for prices to drop for a short period and then go up by thanksgiving. Better get those elk.
Also notice that meat prices have almost doubled int he last few years. You won't notice it as much on say steak, but cheap ground beef and pork, to use for game mix has increased from under a dollar a pound to about $2.00 a pound. Hope and Change is working great.
I was under the impression that the price of beef is scheduled to go up - due to the water shortage around the states.
Great-Kazoo
08-10-2012, 11:01
I was under the impression that the price of beef is scheduled to go up - due to the water shortage around the states.
Water shortage, killed the corn crop this year, so yeah H2O played a major part in beef, if not all produce & meat prices. Just wait...............................
I was under the impression that the price of beef is scheduled to go up - due to the water shortage around the states.
It will, after all the farmers & ranchers have sold off the cattle that they can't feed and water right now, and all that meat is gone. That's why now is the time to fill the freezers, because they're unloading their animals while they still can, before they starve to death. They're flooding the market with beef right now.
newracer
08-10-2012, 11:52
I ordered my pig a few weeks ago, will be ordering beef very soon, been getting it from the same place for almost 20 years.
Rooskibar03
08-10-2012, 12:17
I ordered my pig a few weeks ago, will be ordering beef very soon, been getting it from the same place for almost 20 years.
Care to share who you deal with
newracer
08-10-2012, 12:51
Small ranch out near Sterling. PM me and I can give you their contact info.
kidicarus13
11-21-2017, 14:56
Who is recommended for a side of beef/pork these days? Or is the price at the Shamrock Foods Warehouse competitive?
KevDen2005
11-21-2017, 17:51
Rooski I was looking into getting a 1/4 myself.. from a grassfed local place.. Only problem I'm having is talking to people when you only go in for 1/4 you don't get as much of the good cuts.. tons of ground beef..
But now is apparently the time to order.
I was looking to maybe get another quarter of beef. We go through a lot of ground beef so I'm not too worried about it. We usually get ours in Kansas. Small Rancher does about 10 to 12 cows a year. Last year hanging weight was about $1.90 per pounds. We go to Kansas somewhat often to visit family so it works out if the cow goes to slaughter around one of our trips. The ground beef always comes out excellent and the steaks are okay. The Butcher there is way over prices though. I wouldn't mind finding quality a little closer.
I purchased a 1/4 side from John at Long Family Farm out east. Grass fed and no hormones or antibiotics. Big thumbs up.
Looks like it's time to stock up on briskets and ribs and steaks and roasts...
Grant H.
11-21-2017, 21:19
My family raises cattle each year on property we own and then slaughter it. We've got two going in during December.
If we didn't do that, I would be buying a quarter to a half each year! Way better deal on beef than buying from the store, and the quality is generally much better (as long as you go through a decent slaughterhouse).
I bought a quarter of a Buffalo a few years ago, and that was a different experience. Unbelievably good meat, and a quarter of a buffalo is probably 135-150% more meet than a quarter of a cow.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.