Half Beef (Deposit)
This is for a deposit on half a certified organic beef delivered to Eureka, Illinois locker in the summer of 2026. Typically, half a beef will be around 300 lbs hanging weight. Total cost of JUST the beef is $6 per pound times actual hanging weight. (i.e. 300 lbs x $6 = $1800.)
Locker/processing fees are an additional $300 to $400. Depending on how you want it cut and packaged.
Actual meat is less than hanging weight. Depending on how much bone-in vs. boneless cuts and shrink that occurs during hanging. Click on and open this tab to see an example of how a cow cut out.
These cows are certified organic, were born on our farm and spend their whole life on pasture. They are never in a feedlot, but are fed supplement grain when pasture and/or hay supplied are less than ideal. All grains fed were raised on our farm. The only purchased feeds these cows receive are salt and minerals.
BUTCHERED COW SAMPLE CUT OUT (lbs)
Cow (steer) butchered 12/26/24 ear tag FX42
Below is an example of how a cow cut out for us.
Hanging weight for 1/2 cow = 306
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Fillet = 1
Porter House = 8
Rib eye = 8
T Bone = 7
Top Sirlion = 7
Sirloin Tip = 8
Rump Roast = 7
Chuck Roast = 22
Short Ribs = 9
Hamburger = 109
Bristket = 5
Total meat = 191
Stew meat & soup bones = 11
Organ meat = 9
Fat = 19
Total = 230
191 lb take home meat / 306 lbs hanging = 62%
306 * $6.00 = $1836
plus $400 processing
= $2,236 for 1/2 cow
which works out to $11.71 per pound for take home meat
which works out to $9.72 per pound for take home product.
Processing cost includes the cost to butcher and package the meat and is paid to the locker.
Cost will vary on how you want the cow processed, labeled and packaged (such as butcher paper wrapped vs. vacuum packed, hamburger packed in chubs or patties).
% meat take home / hanging weight will vary on depending on how you want it processed and how many bone-in verses boneless cuts.
Requires about 8-10 cubit feet of freezer space