Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What’s a 1/4 of a beef

Last I bought in '22 was $3.25/#

A 1/4 is a half split evenly. That’s the only way I’ve seen it done. But my experience is pretty damn small.

Years ago it was a 1/4 front or rear. then they started the split halves for a quarter

Correct, it wasn't always that way in these parts. Split halves came along in the last 20-25 years probably, here anyway.

Last quote I got was $3.89/lb hanging weight. Processing was on top of that, but wasn't too much more.

Our half was just over $700 last year, that was a steer that was 1350 live weight.

My bud said it will be considerably more this year, it goes to the locker next month.

Unless you really know a rancher/farmer you can trust and a butcher that you trust just get your beef at Costco. My family and friends have been scammed multiple times getting a beef or half beef. It usually ends up being some Holstein that aged out or died during delivery at the dairy.

My sister and brother in law raised a quality steer and finished it right. When they picked it up a week or so after taking it to the butcher they gave them a bunch of old mis matched odds and ends. Wrapped in different paper and tape, with much of it freezer burned all ready. What few steaks there were were cut different thicknesses depending on the pack. It was very obvious the butcher stole their good beef and gave them the old junk from his freezer.

They had to take it to court and spend a bunch on lawyers and expert witnesses and lab testing. I think that it was maybe that same packer that the USDA shut down in Rupert for inhumane practices.

Bb

That's the way I always saw it.

Each half a had a front quarter which included the chuck and ribs, and a back quarter with the rump and round. The hind quarter was by far the superior cuts, and the better meat to bone ratio.

I have never dealt with the split halves business. But I have only sold beef whole and delivered to a reputable processor.

This year’s beeves came out to just under $700 a quarter, cut and wrapped, kill fee paid. Cows are raised next door, butcher is a mile and a half away as the crow flies. I haven’t done much elk hunting since I started buying his beef. Darn nice stuff.

As Idaho Shooter mentioned, a 4H animal will be at least double that around here, with unknown quality parameters.

Mostly you want a half, of a half,

That's what I sold my cousin who wanted a 1/4 of a beef I had processed. I gave him 1/4 of all the cuts from the entire beef.

The Free Range Cattle we have up by my place in Arizona live on Scrub oak and Ceders.
A freind purchased one being nice to the guy that free ranges them.

He told me that even the cats and dogs would not eat them.

Those poor Steers look like they are starving up there all bone with a bit if skin stretched tight over them.

Sad to see animals in that condition.

A year-1/2 back we paid $3.30# plus cut/wrap per # for a half.
We split it evenly with our niece.
Like getting both strips & ribeyes.
Bought from our son[we only buy a portion of beef he's keeping himself].

So known producer & and we know the processor personally.

Sons inlaws used to kill/quarter all of their beef.
I would help with gutting/skinning etc

There was one processor locally that would take beef already quartered.
They quit doing processing so now that's an extra fee as well.

Mine was about 2.00/lb hanging weight. About .95/lb processing fee. Excellent beef too. Never disappointed.

It is important to support local growers!!

We have a Ranch near our Community that advertises 1/2 a cow .1/2 Grain Fed finished for $1000 --$1500 depending on the end weight.

These are not Free Range Cows.
They have a very good reputation and I have eaten some of their meat Very tender high quality stuff.

Cow beef is not as good as choice, or even select beef.

Problem is the animal has to be dead before you can decide. I trust the guy who raises them. He has a reputation to protect.

Picking up 2 from the processors, today.
Weighed 1040 each after being hauled 240 miles, started at just over 1100# each.
Total cost (without trailering expenses) $4250, divided by 8 = $531.25.

Darn! I wish we had more options for meat processors around here!
Every other outfit was booked up solid. Mathews, in Belen, does a good job, though.

It's rotten shame we can't salvage non walking animals.

That's about what I paid last time I bought a quarter. No F-ing way I'd pay $900