Why buy a side of beef?

When purchasing a side of beef, you are essentially buying in bulk. This is similar to the bulk purchases we make at stores like Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and Costco. Buying a side of beef is an economical way to purchase meat.

Purchasing a side of beef is not a difficult process. We have appointments with the processor throughout the year. When you place your order, we provide the processor with your contact information so they can discuss specific cutting and packaging instructions with you. They will assist you in the decision-making process and help you determine which cuts are available. Some customers, like ourselves, prioritize their preferences, such as a lot of ground beef, a few roasts, and a few steaks. The processor will help you figure out how many pounds of each you can get. When the meat is ready, you will have to pick it up at the processor. We use Johnson's Processing in Chadwick, IL.

How do you figure out the weight?

We figure weight based on hanging weight, also known as butcher weight. This is the weight of the animal without any unusable parts. So, the skin, head, unusable organs, and hooves are removed, and the carcass is split down the middle and weighed, giving the processor (or butcher) a “hanging” weight. So, essentially you are not paying for any unusable beef parts.

Why is there a difference between hanging weight and take-home weight?

Once the hanging weight is cut, the carcass is placed in a cooler where it is aged and cured for a period of ten days to two weeks. During this time, it naturally loses moisture, also known as shrink, which can impact its weight. Additionally, depending on the specific cutting instructions provided, fat and bone may be removed from the carcass. For instance, if leaner ground beef is desired, fat will be removed. Conversely, if more fat content is preferred, the requested amount will be left in, which can affect the final weight of the product.

Why do you figure the price on hanging weight?

Traditionally, when you buy meat from a farmer in this manner, the price is set based on hanging weight. This is because, as noted above, the actual take-home weight can vary based on a number of factors all of which are not a function of the animal being sold. So, when you purchase meat from a farmer you are paying that farmer for the safe transport of a live animal to a USDA-inspected facility where it will be cut into sides, or hanging weight, and what its potential can be to the butcher or processor who is acting as your butcher. The actual take-home weight comes from the butcher or processor based on your specifications for cutting and packaging the meat that you want to take home.

Retail weight

When you buy meat from a grocery store or subscription service, the weight you are paying for is not the hanging weight. Instead, it is the retail weight, which may or may not include additional markup. Usually, this weight is calculated by using the gross margin percentage, which is determined by the item cost and the desired gross margin.

When we do the math, here’s how much beef costs at many popular locations as of January 2024:

• ButcherBox or Good Chop subscription services: $15-$20/lb

• Omaha Steaks (online): $45/lb

• Whole Foods grocery store (online, Madison, WI pickup): $7-$22/lb

• Hagemann Beef: $5.75/lb - $5.97/lb. (Price depends on final hanging weight, but these estimates include average Hagemann Beef pricing and includes processing cost.)

Buying items in bulk or opting for hanging weight is always a more cost-effective option in the long run. However, many consumers find the upfront costs a bit too steep. To address this concern, we offer flexible payment options on our Shop page. You can even spread out the payments over time. If you need any other payment arrangements, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.

How much does a side of beef cost from your farm?

The cost of your purchase will depend on the quantity. For all beef orders, a deposit is required, and the remaining balance must be paid before collecting the meat from the processor. The processing cost varies depending on the type of cuts and packaging you request, and it is paid directly to the processor upon pick-up. Please note that we do not offer farm pick-up, as we are responsible for delivering the animal to the processor. The processor will then be responsible for the cutting and packaging of the meat. Please contact us for our current pricing or visit our shopping page. We would be happy to answer any questions.

How many pounds is a side of beef?

• Wholes typically have a hanging weight of 800 - 1,000 lbs. This typically yields between 480 - 600 lbs. of finished take-home cuts.

• Halves typically have a hanging weight of 400 - 500 lbs. This typically yields between 220 - 300 lbs. of finished take-home cuts.

• Quarters typically have a hanging weight of 200 - 250 lbs. This typically yields between 110 - 150 lbs. of finished take-home cuts.

Does my order come from the back or the front of the animal?

To make it fair for everyone, you will get some of the front and some of the back of the animal.

What kinds of cuts can I get from a quarter?

While the cuts and packaging are completely up to you here's a sample order from a quarter.
33 – 1.5lb/each pkg Ground Beef
1 – Prime Rib to serve 10 people during a holiday meal
2 – Beef Tenderloins
4 – Sirloin Steaks
6 – Round Steaks
9 – New York Strip Steaks
5 – Stew Meat packages
2 – Soup Bones
5 – Chuck Roasts
2 – Beef Arm Roasts
2 – Sirloin Tip Roasts
1 – Rump Roast
With the exception of the Prime Rib holiday meal, this served two adults approximately 75 meals. They re-ordered another quarter approximately one year to the date.

If you still need help, that's ok. Our processors are great at helping our customers get the cuts they want. Even if you only specify an order or importance such as, “I want mainly ground beef, a few roasts, and a couple of steaks” they can take it from there and help you determine what's best for your quarter, half, or whole order.