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We sell our beef and
lamb on the hoof: lambs whole, and beef by
the quarter (or eighth if customers want to
split a quarter, but the splitting is up to
you!) Selling on the hoof means you are
purchasing a live animal. We deliver the
animal to the locker, you provide cutting
instructions, pay for processing, and pick
up your meat. We are happy to work with you
on sharing transport of packaged meat when
possible, but the point is the animal is
yours when it gets to the locker.
Pricing animals on the
hoof is straightforward when you understand
the terminology. For example, a steer with a
"live weight" of 1100 pounds may have a
"hanging weight" of 660 pounds (165/quarter)
when inedible (to Americans) portions (hide,
head, feet, innards, etc) are removed. This
"dressing percentage" is roughly 60%. Then
the "cutting yield" from the hanging animal
into packaged meat typically ranges from
60-70% of hanging weight, as much more bone
and fat are normally removed in the process
and moisture is lost as the animal ages. So
the 1100 pound steer may end up with 465
pounds of packaged meat, or 107
pounds/quarter.
A very good overview
of this entire process is our very own Iowa
State University Extension's "Beef
and Pork Whole Animal Buying Guide". It
even provides detailed diagrams of various
primal cuts so you'll know what you're
talking about to the locker!
Our prices are based
on hanging weights, and are $3.75/pound for
beef, and $4.50/pound for lamb. So a
quarter hanging beef would roughly run you
$600 give or take $100 (depending on
original animal size), and a whole lamb may
be $200 give or take $50.
Bottom line, your
packaged meat will likely be in the
neighborhood of $5.50/lb, plus the locker
costs which can be roughly a dollar/lb,
depending on the amount of processing you
do. Remember, this average includes your
ground beef but also all the higher value
cuts such as steak. And, you'll be able to
order further processing such as summer
sausage or dogs/brats, from your very own
meat, if you choose. Your costs will be
less per pound if you use more of the
fat/trimmings, get bone-in cuts, and keep
organ meat, soup bones, etc. For lamb
your packaged meat will be in the
neighborhood of $6/lb, plus closer to $2/lb
locker costs.
Not cheap, and
buying local, direct, grass-fed from your
farmer shouldn't be. But it IS gourmet
grass-fed, and compared to prices for
comparable meat in your local health food
store, these are probably something to moo
(or baaa) about.
To order, email andy
(at) oneotaslopes (dot) org. At this point
we only slaughter in the fall (typically
late October) for best quality.
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