I found a local rancher where I live and contacted them to buy meat directly from them. It was not cheaper. I knew it wasn't going to be cheaper but I did it anyways. I got fresher beef, I created a relationship with the rancher family and supported my local community instead of big business.
On average I think I paid about $4 or $5 per pound. Good price for the steaks but horrible price for the ground beef.
People just have to be willing to understand where the value is in that transaction.
I buy from a local meat company and their motto is “friends dont let friends buy meat from a grocery stores.”
I have been buying from them for almost 10 years now, and before inflation, they give the best deal, but with inflation, I will continue to support them.
They usually have the option of 1/4, 1/2 or a whole. Generally they will do what I want and just combine orders with other people. One time they did say I could only get a quarter unless I wanted a whole. I am ok with it though. They slaughter twice a year in general and as long as I know that I can be prepared.
That sounds like something I heard of up Montana way. I’m in KS and the last I knew the private butchers could only butcher an animal for the owner here.
We’d love to sell someone an animal, we’re proud of our animals. But, here every private locker is booked up for almost 2 years.
We’d have to schedule a butcher date for a calf that doesn’t exist on a handshake.
On that if anyone can get a butcher date for next Aug/Nov, I’ve got 100 yearlings I’ll sell.
I found a local rancher where I live and contacted them to buy meat directly from them. It was not cheaper. I knew it wasn't going to be cheaper but I did it anyways. I got fresher beef, I created a relationship with the rancher family and supported my local community instead of big business.
On average I think I paid about $4 or $5 per pound. Good price for the steaks but horrible price for the ground beef.
People just have to be willing to understand where the value is in that transaction.
Esp after one of those elite parties....
I buy from a local meat company and their motto is “friends dont let friends buy meat from a grocery stores.”
I have been buying from them for almost 10 years now, and before inflation, they give the best deal, but with inflation, I will continue to support them.
The problem selling straight to the normal person, is nobody wants to take a whole animal.
Then, if you have spring calves, you need to know who wants what in Jan/Feb to have a calf, that was born a year ago, ready to butcher by Aug/Sep.
They usually have the option of 1/4, 1/2 or a whole. Generally they will do what I want and just combine orders with other people. One time they did say I could only get a quarter unless I wanted a whole. I am ok with it though. They slaughter twice a year in general and as long as I know that I can be prepared.
That sounds like something I heard of up Montana way. I’m in KS and the last I knew the private butchers could only butcher an animal for the owner here.
We’d love to sell someone an animal, we’re proud of our animals. But, here every private locker is booked up for almost 2 years.
We’d have to schedule a butcher date for a calf that doesn’t exist on a handshake.
On that if anyone can get a butcher date for next Aug/Nov, I’ve got 100 yearlings I’ll sell.
We need more butchers. There is an industry waiting to happen.
That's how my parents did it as well. Their order would be combined with others to make up a whole cow.
That's not a problem. It's easy as shit. Same customers every year
I buy a half cow for my wife and I, last time i split it with my son MD his family
You can buy a cow and have it processed. Find people to split it and share the cost. If you live in an area with cows this is a win.
The problem is finding an area with a slaughter house.
Cattle are everywhere.
Ground beef is $7 a pound where I live.
I have been buying the 90/10% from Sam's Club, and it's now almost $5 a lb now. It has been just under $3.50 lb. It comes packaged around $25-30 now.