Pricing Example

Following is a description of pricing for an "average" size 1,000 pound animal:

Today's "live-weight" price is $1.75 per pound. 

Animal weighs 1,000 pounds

Price is $1.75 x 1,000 = $1,750

Half would be $1,750/2  = $875

Quarter would be $1,750/4 = $437.50

The above is paid to Eric Stickdorn.  

Send check made out to Eric Stickdorn to PO Box 63, New Lisbon, IN 47366.

Then, the butcher fee is separate. 

For a typical 1,000 pound animal the butcher fee is between $950 and $1,050 depending on the various cutting instructions.  At $950 for a whole animal, half a beef would then be $475, and a quarter would be $237.50.   You pay the butcher fee when you pick up your meat.

Therefore, for a quarter of a beef, the total cost is $437.50 + $237.50 = $675

The final yield of meat is typically 43 percent of the live weight so an equivalent price per pound (like in the grocery store) is $675/108 pounds = $6.25 per pound.

Here is a website from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture with a simple explanation of beef cuts.  https://files.givewell.org/files/labs/animal-product-replacements/fs-cowweight.pdf

Another lengthy, but insightful explanation for beef cuts and pricing by The Krazy Coupon Lady can be found at the following website: https://thekrazycouponlady.com/tips/money/buying-cow-cost-cuts-beef-worth-it

One of our butchers, Fishers Meats in Portland, Indiana, has  a very good explanation of processing instructions on their website:  http://fishermeats.com/beef_form.php

I hope the above helps.  Always feel free to e-mail any questions to me, Eric, at  estickdorn@gmail.com

See also this website about grass-fed beef health effects by Cleveland Clinic:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/grass-fed-vs-organic-meat-whats-the-difference/