How to buy a beef?

[sometimesright]

My recent 1/2 processed out at 378 lbs. My share of the kill fee was $32.50. Processing fee was at .80/per. With what I paid for the beef itself and processing fee I figure was about $2.81/pound if my math is correct. All things considered and since I got a brisket, all the steaks I could, a few roasts, some stew meat and lots of ground beef, I didn't think the price per pound figured out too bad.

[Hummer]

Good replies. I have traded my hay field to a neighbor for beef. Worked out well. Before you buy make sure you know what cuts you will get. Some people prefer more roasts and less ground meat, or vice versa. Many processors will offer sausage as a value added product and some can be very good. Personally, I like making my own.

But, I have to call baloney on the year without an elk. It's June, not December. Even if you didn't draw a limited license there's plenty of opportunity for elk through the second draw and over the counter units.

A fatty beef steak is nice once in a while but a tender lean elk, deer or pronghorn is far superior meat, IMO.

Alas, I am without an elk for another year in a row.
<snip>
Cheers

[Great-Kazoo]

Good replies. I have traded my hay field to a neighbor for beef. Worked out well. Before you buy make sure you know what cuts you will get. Some people prefer more roasts and less ground meat, or vice versa. Many processors will offer sausage as a value added product and some can be very good. Personally, I like making my own.

But, I have to call baloney on the year without an elk. It's June, not December. Even if you didn't draw a limited license there's plenty of opportunity for elk through the second draw and over the counter units.

A fatty beef steak is nice once in a while but a tender lean elk, deer or pronghorn is far superior meat, IMO.

True. Some places will offer X steaks, ribs and roast. Then stew meat OR lots of ground . You really need to pay attention to the cut sheet and how much ground you'll get. Can you and the family eat 20-30 pounds of GB?

[jreifsch80]

I have a guy for both beef and pork

[JTP80]

I've used Flying B Bar Ranch a couple of times and I can say it is a great experience. Top quality beef, and the family that runs the operation is friendly and willing to help you select your cuts if you buy a half, and give good cooking tips is you need a new recipe. If you buy a quarter or eighth, it's a standard proportion so that the other person/people get all the same amounts of each primal and ground.

[CapLock]

Elizabeth Meat Market is who we used to buy beef halves from. No need to raise a cow yourself unless you want to. They have local access and connections for beef.
Make sure you have a shit ton of freezer space.

[eddiememphis]

Can cows climb stairs?

I live on the third floor.

How often do I have to walk them? Are they good on a leash?

My neighbors already don't like me. If they have a problem, I'll simply state is was born a cow but self identifies as a Beagle.

[ManOnTarget]

I figure was about $2.81/pound if my math is correct.

Ya, it seems to really make sence. I would love to have it all vacuum sealed at the processor if that were an option. It would probably take us over a year to eat 378lbs. Though Im sure some would get given to the in-laws ect...

[funkymonkey1111]

everytime i read the title of this thread ("a beef") i think about "that's a bingo!"



now, back to your beefy discussion

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

True. Some places will offer X steaks, ribs and roast. Then stew meat OR lots of ground . You really need to pay attention to the cut sheet and how much ground you'll get. Can you and the family eat 20-30 pounds of GB?

We eat 3 lbs for 6 1/2 burgers per dinner, and once a week would be easy in the summer alone.

Is there a calculator for standard yield by cut? How much are steak cuts? Probably want tenderloins separate from NYStrips? What are the choices on cuts besides the roasts vs GB?


I don’t mind roasts, I’m warming to slow cookers and the ability in the morning to throw a seasoning mix, some vegetables and dinner is ready from 5 o’clock on. Great for heavy homework nights with the kids since there is no prepping.