FAQs

How much does it cost to buy in bulk?

• Whole, and half sides of beef are all sold by the hanging weight and custom processed to your specifications.
• Whole beef sides are priced at $4 lb. hanging weight.
• Half beef sides are priced at $5 lb. hanging weight.
• Bulk beef orders will be processed at Thompsons Meats in Floyd. They charge $0.80 per pound of hanging weight, plus $75 per whole, or $37.50 per half side. There are additional fees for individually wrapped steaks, cube steak, and pre-pattied burgers. These are all listed on the cut sheet so you can make those decisions as you pick your cuts.

What is Hanging Weight?

Hanging weight is the weight of the beef animal after it has been field dressed but before it has been aged, cut, packaged and frozen.

Why use the hanging measurement?

We use this weight measurement because we are not selling individual retail cuts but instead are selling by the halve or whole animal. Each piece doesn't need to be weighed which is reflected in the lower cost compared to individual retail cuts.

How does hanging weight relate to live weight or packaged retail weight?

As a general rule on a well finished 100% grass-fed steer, the hanging weight is 60% of the live weight and the cut and packaged meat is on average about 66% of the hanging weight. Here is the math:

1000 lbs live weight x .6 = 600 lbs hanging weight x .66 = 396 lbs packaged meat weight on a whole beef animal. This is a general rule. If the beef animal is overly fat, the hanging weight to packaged meat yield is lower because more is trimmed off. If there isn't enough fat, the yield is also lower because there is more bone per fat/muscle.

How much on average does a whole beef animal cost?

For a 1000-pound steer, the approximate hanging weight would be 600 pounds, giving you a purchase price of $2,400. With that estimated hanging weight, processing fees will be $555, giving you a total purchase price of $2,955.

With a typical yield of 66% of the hanging weight, you should take home about 400 pounds of cut beef for a final cost of $7.39 per pound. Your cost is based on hanging weight and your final yield will vary due to moisture loss during dry aging and your specific cut selections.

How much on average does a half beef share cost?

For a 500-pound half of a 1000-pound steer, the approximate hanging weight would be 300 pounds, giving you a purchase price of $1,500. With that estimated hanging weight, processing fees will be $275, for a total cost of $1,775. With a yield of approximately 200 pounds of cut beef, total cost would be $8.87 per pound.

How will my meat be packaged?

Each piece will be vacuum sealed in a one or two pack (depending on your choices) in clear packaging and labeled with the name of the cut.

What should I expect through the whole process, from deposit to pickup?

• After placing your order online and securing your beef with the deposit, you will receive an email with a cut sheet and directions for completing the cut sheet and returning to us via email by the date provided. As you fill out your cut sheet please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. If anything is unclear when we receive the cut sheets back we will contact you with questions.
• Approximately 2 weeks prior to your pick-up date, you will receive a detailed email with your final balance. This balance will NOT include the processing fees, which are paid to the processor when you pick-up your order. Final payments to C&F Farms are due prior to the pick-up date provided in the email.
• When you arrive at the processor they will accept your payment for the processing and bring your beef out to you. Make sure to bring enough coolers or boxes!
• C&F Farms accepts cash, checks, or credit cards. Final payment must be completed prior to you picking up your beef at the processor.

How much storage space do I need?

Many people ask how much freezer storage space they will need. As a general rule of thumb you should plan for 1 cubic foot of freezer space per 35-40 pounds of meat. (1 cubic foot of space is roughly the size of a full large brown grocery bag.) For example, a half beef share final product weighs approximately 190-210 pounds. So you should plan for 4.75-5.5 cubic feet.

Disclaimer: The numbers provided in this FAQ are averages and will not be exactly the same for every share that we sell. Each animal dresses out differently and how the animal is processed to the customers request creates differences in take home yield and processing price.

Cut Sheet

After placing your order, you will receive an email with instructions for next steps, key dates, as well as a copy of the cut sheet to be completed. Completing this sheet will let the butcher know exactly how you’d like your share processed. This form will be sent back to us at info@cffarms.org and will be dropped off with the animal. After drop-off the processor will contact you with any questions. This ensures you get exactly the cuts you want, and have an expert available to answer your questions. If at any time during the process you have questions or concerns we are available for any questions or recommendations. Note the cut sheet will be due at least 3 weeks prior to your harvest date.