I believe everyone can benefit from buying a half or quarter of beef. Interestingly, the U.S. per capita consumption of beef amounted to 58.4 pounds per year in 2020 . That means if you are a family of two who eats a total of two pounds of beef each week, you will be set for an entire year when you purchase a quarter of beef.
Is Buying a Quarter of Beef Right for Me?
But there are a few factors you should consider before starting the bulk buying process. First, do you have the freezer space to store the beef? The average amount of beef you can expect to receive is 100 pounds for a quarter. This typically requires about 3.5 cubic feet of freezer space, which is about the size of two standard cardboard apple boxes. For a half beef, simply double the numbers.
Secondly, can you afford the upfront investment of buying a quarter of beef? To be sure, buying beef in bulk can save you a lot of money in the long run, but it does require an upfront investment. Even if you don’t have the freezer space or upfront investment available, you can still benefit from buying beef in bulk. How? You could round up a few friends to purchase a quarter together. You’ll have to divvy up the meat yourselves, but you’ll still get all the benefits of buying locally, saving money, etc.
What Cuts of Beef Will I Get?
If you have the quarter beef processed, here is an idea of what you might receive: 8 NY Strip Steaks & 8 Filet Mignon OR 8 T-bone Steaks, 8 Rib Eye Steaks OR 1 Prime Rib Roast, 1 Rump Roast,2 Arm Roast, 4 Chuck Roasts, 8 lbs. Round Steak (Cube Steak), 1 Sirloin Tip Roast, 4 Sirloin Steaks, 1/2 Size Brisket, 1/2 Size Flank Steak, 3 Pkgs. Soup Bones, 5 Pkgs. Boneless Stew Meat, 3 Short Ribs, 40 lbs. Ground Beef, Heart, Liver, Tongue, and Bones.
Keep in mind that we can only provide you with the average weight of a beef for estimation purposes. Because each animal is different, your final weight may be a little bigger or a little smaller, and your final price will reflect this. Also, we send the beef to a butcher to be custom cut and wrapped to your specifications. You will work with the butcher to determine your cutting instructions. Not big on roasts? No problem. Grind them into more ground beef. Want your steaks cut extra thick? You get to choose! Custom cutting allows you get the very most out of each pound of beef.
What are the Advantages of Buying Beef in Bulk?
Support Local Farmers
As a small family farm that produces beef to sell direct to local customers, we focus on quality rather than quantity. We believe animals that are well cared for and allowed to finish naturally on grass, without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics result in the highest quality, most delicious beef. It takes an incredible amount of energy and dedication to raise cattle this way, but we’ve dedicated our lives to it and to you, our customers.
Save Money
Buying in bulk as a beef half or quarter is the most affordable way to purchase premium meat. We charge based on the hanging (carcass) weight of your beef so you really are paying for what you get. With bulk beef, you pay one price for every pound, whether it’s made into ground beef or ribeyes, so while your price may be comparable on ground beef, it’s outstanding on steaks and other whole cuts.
Know Where Your Beef Comes From
Did you know that one pound of ground beef at the grocery store can come from over 100 different cows of mixed breeds, ages, and farms with varying feeding/handling practices? You have no way of knowing what you are really getting in that package of ground beef off the grocery store shelf. Knowing your farmer ensures the beef you’re consuming was raised in a way that aligns with your values, whether that means it was grass or grain finished, with or without growth hormones, or on a big or small farm. At Sonrise Farms, we have spent years developing our genetics and handling practices focused on producing the best grass finished beef available.
Convenience
It’s a great feeling to have a freezer full of beef ready for easy weeknight meals. You don’t even have to think about comparing prices or seeking out weekly sales at the grocery store. Plus you’ll make fewer trips to the grocery store meaning less money spent on those impulse purchases.
Expanded Menu
You will likely get some cuts of beef that you’ve never eaten before. This is a wonderful opportunity to try new recipes which may lead to a new family favorite. This could just be the beginning of an adventure many are calling “eating nose to tail.”
If you have more questions about ordering a quarter or half beef, please reach out to us. We will do our best to answer all your questions.