Price of beef dropping? Time to buy a side?

[Rooskibar03]

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.

[J]

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.

[Monky]

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.

[J]

Heard that too. Best way I reckon is to go in on a half with another party, then split all cuts evenly.

[Wulf202]

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]

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.

[esaabye]

We did a 1/4, ended up under $4 per pound, very happy with it.

[J]

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.

[J]

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]

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.