Understanding beef weights, processing and pricing
Additional Information
Note that a Ready-to-butcher animal weigh between 1,000 to 1,300 pounds. The gross weight will depend on breed (e.g., Hybrid/Mix breed, Charolais, Angus, Holstein, Longhorn, Hereford, etc.), finishing and management. We prefer Hybrid "Grain on Pasture Finishing" or "Forage Finishing". We can however provide as a special option "Grain Finishing in Confinement". Grain, potato hulls and/or sugar beets, as well as hay or forage in the feed-yard for 100 to 150 days.
Our cattle are purposely a “Mixed Breed” of: Charolais, Angus, Holstein & some animals with Longhorn. Our beef offerings are extremely lean which is lower in fat, cholesterol and calories than most beef. “Little hamburger patty shrinkage”
Understanding Beef Weight:
A typical live 1,000lbs animal after being “butchered” will weigh around 620lbs. ~38% of the animal is waste consisting of internal organs, hide, etc. Hence a live 1,200lbs animal after being butcher will weigh 744lbs. The animal weight after being butchered is referred to “Hanging Weight”
Depending on the animal, finishing, and the meat processor customers can expect 59% to optimally 62% of processed “Take Home” beef. 750lbs of hanging weight will render ~442lbs to ~465lbs of “Take Home” processed beef weight.
We typically charge by the hanging weight pound for both the beef and the associated processing. Our hanging weight cost is $3.50lbs to $4.10lbs. Processing cost per pound will depend on the selection meat cuts. All in with processing a customer can expect to pay $6.50lbs to $7.50lbs for Take Home weight. A typical “Half Cow” will cost $1,688.00 to $1,914; and a “Full Cow” will cost $3,376.00 to $3,828. Processing Fees range from $0.50lb to $0.90lb hanging weight. Before you place your order, we will provide you with an estimate that will detail all processing fees. Processing Fees are paid directly to the Meat Processor.
Here is an example Half Cow Order:
· Hanging Weight: 417lbs,
· Yield %: 60%
· Take Home Weight: 250lbs,
· Meat Cuts:
o 10.6lbs of Rib-eye
o 7.3lbs of KC strip Steaks
o 4.5lbs of Filet Mignon
o 11.7lbs of Sirloin Steaks
o 4.2lbs of Skirt Steaks
o 2lbs of Flank Steaks
o 18lbs of Round Steaks
o 7.7lbs of Sirloin Tip Roasts
o 4.5lbs of Rump Roasts
o 4lbs Bottom Round Roasts
o 27.8lbs of Chuck Roasts
o 10.9lbs of Arm Roasts
o 10.2lbs of Brisket
o 5.6lbs of Soup Bones
o 121lbs of Ground Beef
Customer order Fulfillment example - half cow
Example Full Cow Processing - Hanging Weight 362lbs
The above chat represents a "Full Cow" process order of 362lbs. In this example the customer's order yields approximately 223lbs...
Customer order Fulfillment example - full cow
Example Full Cow Processing - Hanging Weight 724lbs
The above chat represents a "Full Cow" process order of 724lbs. In this example the customer's order yields approximately 446lbs.
