Buying beef in bulk, whether it’s a whole cow or half a cow, is one of the most cost-effective ways to purchase high-quality beef.
Not only does buying a cow provide better value per pound, but it also allows you to know exactly where your beef comes from, how it was raised, and how it was processed.
At TX Bar Grass-Fed, a half beef is $2,800–$2,900 all in and a whole beef is $5,100–$5,200 all in. That covers the beef and the butcher fees together, no hidden extras.
Before purchasing a cow for meat, it helps to understand how pricing works and how much beef you can expect to receive.
Understanding Beef Weights
One of the most common questions when buying a cow for meat is why the weight of the animal changes during the processing stages. This is because there are three different weight measurements used.
Live Weight
The live weight refers to the weight of the animal before harvest.
Our grass-fed cattle are predominantly Black Angus and Black Angus Cross, typically harvested between 24–36 months of age, with an average live weight of 1,150–1,250 pounds.
Hanging Weight
After harvest, the butcher records the hanging weight (also called carcass weight). This is the weight of the animal after the hide, blood, head, and other inedible parts have been removed.
The hanging weight typically averages 600–750 pounds, and this is the weight used by the butcher to calculate cutting and wrapping fees.
Final Packaged Weight
The final weight is the amount of beef you take home after the meat has been aged, trimmed, and cut.
This amount can vary depending on:
- how much fat is trimmed
- the cuts you choose
- the size of the animal
As a general guide:
- Half cow: roughly 200–250 pounds of packaged beef
- Whole cow: roughly 400–500 pounds of packaged beef
If you’d like to learn more about how these weights work, check out our guide on Beef Weights – All You Need to Know.
Cost of a Whole Cow
A whole cow is the most cost-effective option if you have the freezer space, or if you’re splitting the beef with family or friends.
A whole beef is $5,100–$5,200 all in. That breaks down as a $2,000 deposit to lock in your harvest date, a second payment of $2,000 to the ranch after harvest, and a butcher fee of $1,100–$1,200 invoiced separately by the butcher for cutting, wrapping and the harvest fee.
You’ll take home 400–500 pounds of packaged beef, and you’ll need 16–22 cubic feet of freezer space to hold it. A whole beef suits larger families, or two households splitting an order.
Cost of Half a Cow
For most families, half a beef is the balance between the savings and the freezer space.
A half beef is $2,800–$2,900 all in: a $1,075 deposit, a second payment of $1,075 to the ranch after harvest, and a butcher fee of $600–$700 invoiced separately.
You’ll take home 200–250 pounds of packaged beef – steaks, roasts and ground – and you’ll need 8–12 cubic feet of freezer space. A half beef feeds most families for 8–12 months.
If you only want a half, we’ll pair you with another customer taking the other half, so you don’t have to find someone to split with.
What Cuts Do You Get When Buying a Cow?
One of the biggest benefits of buying beef in bulk is the wide variety of cuts you receive.
Typical cuts include:
- Filet Mignon
- Ribeye Steaks
- Tri-Tips
- Brisket
- Carne Asada / Fajita meat
- Roasts
- Stew meat
- Ground beef
- Soup bones and marrow bones
You can also customize your order with the butcher. For example, you may prefer:
- more ground beef instead of roasts
- thicker steaks
- specialty items like summer sausage
Your order is cut and vacuum sealed according to your preferences.
How Do I Reserve My Order?
To reserve your harvest date we take a deposit:
- $1,075 for a half beef
- $2,000 for a whole beef
The same amount again is paid to the ranch after harvest. The butcher invoices you separately for cutting and wrapping.
Deposits can be paid through:
- Zelle (530-949-4241)
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Credit card by phone using Square
Once your deposit is received, your harvest date is secured.
If you have any more questions about how to buy either a full or half a cow, or any queries relating to pricing, please do not hesitate to contact us on (530) 949-4241, where we would be happy to answer any queries you may have.
