07/08/2026
BEEF BUYER’S INFORMATION AND PRICING AS OF 7/1/26
SHORT VERSION: The price on a side of beef (today) is running between about $2800-3800. That’s a wide range, but it all depends on the size of the animal on the block. A side of beef varies in weight, but typically averages around 270-350 pounds in usable meat in your freezer.
LONG VERSION:
Most of our cattle weigh around 1500 lbs. at time of processing; some are smaller, some larger, and yield around 450 lbs. per side hot weight (or hanging weight) before the final trimming and bone-out. Again, it depends on their size. They are dry-aged 14-21 days before they are processed down into final cuts. The meat is vac-packed, except for the ground, which is in 1-lb tubes. All processing fees are included.
I offer a “standard” cut sheet, or the buyer can have it completely customized.
Practicalities to consider:
1. There are only so many steaks in a side of beef (but if you know what cuts to order, you can maximize it) and there’s way more ground beef.
2. I will deliver the meat when it’s ready, or you can pick it up from the processing plant in Comanche, TX.
3. You need a freezer.
The good stuff:
1. You CANNOT buy this quality at a grocery store. It’s not for sale.
2. You actually know where your food comes from and that it’s safe and healthy.
3. You can lock in the price you pay buying it by the side.
4. You don’t have to worry about the next pandemic and supply chain interruptions making meat unavailable.
5. You can start paying on it early to spread out the cost.
Price is currently $7.75 per pound hot weight. “Hot weight” refers to the weight of the carcass at time of harvest, minus the hide, head, lower legs & feet, organs, blood, and some of the fat. Nearly 40% of the animal’s live weight is lost at that point. Your cost for all cuts will average about $8.50 to $10.50 per pound, depending on how you want your meat cut and packaged.
Other things you need to know:
▪️This meat will taste GREAT. The steaks and roasts will be phenomenal, but the one of the biggest differences you’ll see is in the ground meat. It will have so much more flavor than any ground meat you’ve ever eaten. Your burgers and meat loaf and lasagna and casseroles and tacos will just taste BETTER.
▪️You don’t get to decide “I want all steaks” or whatever. A side of beef has a mix of all of the primary cuts- from rump to round to ribeye to brisket. You can expect to wind up with 35- 45% ground. You can determine how you want each primary cut processed. You can have tenderized round steak and/or ground round for example. Don’t like brisket? Grind it. If you want the filets cut, you can’t have T-bones. I can help you work through this when the time comes.
▪️The processor we use is Broken O Processing because of their outstanding reputation. They’re also expensive, but worth it. Once again, processing fees are included.
▪️This much meat requires substantial freezer space. A whole steer will fill a 17 cubic ft freezer. If you don’t have a freezer, shop NOW.
▪️We only sell halves and whole steers, but it works great to split a side between 2 families. When you pick your meat up, you just divide it down the middle. Also, if one family likes one particular cut more than another, you can work that out in your cut sheet.
▪️A $500 deposit is required now to guarantee your side of beef ($1000 for a whole). The balance is due before the meat can be picked up.
▪️Our steers will be right, and I stand behind my product. If you have meat that doesn’t taste or smell right or doesn’t meet normal expectations, I’ll refund your money.
▪️These steers DO NOT meet the standards of organic. However, they’re fed only a vegetarian diet (no meat byproducts- ever!) and are far superior to what you find in a grocery store meat counter: They’re fed longer and not pushed to increase profit margins. They’re not sick or old or only fed 75 days or j***y Holsteins. They are treated humanely and don’t live in crowded, dusty pens. They are vaccinated (prior to entering the feedlot) against common cattle diseases and have been wormed.
▪️Buy local. Know where your food comes from. Even if you don’t buy from us, become a more educated consumer. Know what you are putting in your body.
It’s a big expense at one time. This isn’t right for every family. However, if you are determined to eat better, know that you have a large, safe supply of great meat, and don’t want to eat food of questionable origins, give me a call at 903-851-4571 to reserve your side of beef.
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