Are you looking to stock up on high-quality beef for your family?
Do you want to know exactly where your meat is coming from and how it was raised?
Buying a quarter beef directly from a local farm may be the perfect solution for you.
Not only will you save money by purchasing in bulk, but you’ll also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your meat is all-natural, grass-fed, and humanely raised.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of buying a quarter beef and provide you with resources to find a farm near you.
Get ready to fill up your freezer with delicious, locally sourced beef!
Where Can I Buy A Quarter Beef Near Me?
If you’re interested in purchasing a quarter beef, the first step is to find a local farm that offers this option. One way to do this is to search for “local beef farms” or “quarter beef near me” online.
Another option is to check with your local farmers’ market or co-op. These organizations often have connections with local farmers and can provide recommendations for where to purchase high-quality beef.
Once you’ve found a farm that offers quarter beef, it’s important to do your research. Ask questions about how the animals are raised, what they’re fed, and how they’re processed. Make sure the farm meets your standards for ethical and sustainable practices.
The Benefits Of Buying A Quarter Beef
Buying a quarter beef can offer numerous benefits, both in terms of quality and cost savings. One of the biggest advantages is the ability to have more control over the cuts of meat you receive. With a quarter beef, you can work directly with the farmer or butcher to customize your order and get the cuts of meat that you prefer.
Additionally, purchasing beef in bulk can save you money in the long run. As mentioned in the raw text, buying a quarter beef can result in a savings of approximately 35% off of current chain grocery store retail prices. This is because you are buying directly from the farmer, cutting out the middleman and associated markups.
Another benefit of buying a quarter beef is that you can ensure that the meat is fresh and of high quality. When purchasing from a local farm, you can have confidence in knowing where your meat came from and how it was raised. Grass-fed beef, for example, is known for its nutritional benefits and can be a healthier option than conventionally-raised beef.
Finally, buying a quarter beef can be a great way to support local farmers and their sustainable practices. By purchasing directly from the farm, you are helping to support small-scale agriculture and reduce your carbon footprint by reducing transportation emissions associated with large-scale meat distribution.
What To Consider Before Purchasing
Before purchasing a quarter beef, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, it’s important to have enough freezer space to store the large amount of meat that comes with a quarter beef. A quarter beef typically yields around 80-110 pounds of meat, so make sure you have enough freezer space to accommodate this amount.
Another important consideration is cost. While buying a quarter beef can be a cost-effective way to purchase high-quality meat, it does require a significant upfront investment. Prices can vary widely, so make sure to shop around and compare prices from different farms.
It’s also important to consider the quality of the meat. Ask the farmer about their feeding practices and whether or not they use growth hormones or antibiotics. Look for farms that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices, as this often results in higher quality meat.
Finally, consider the logistics of picking up your meat. Will you need to pick it up from the farm or will they deliver it to you? Make sure you have a plan in place for transporting and storing your meat once it’s ready.
By taking these factors into consideration, you can ensure that you’re making an informed decision when purchasing a quarter beef.
How To Find A Local Farm
There are several ways to find a local farm that offers quarter beef. One option is to use online sales platforms that connect consumers with local farmers. These sites allow you to search for farms by zip code and order and purchase food directly from the farmer. Some popular online sales platforms include Farmigo, LocalHarvest, and FarmMatch.
Another way to find a local farm is to check with your local agricultural extension office. These offices often have a list of local farms and can provide recommendations for where to purchase high-quality beef.
You can also check with your local farmers’ market or co-op. These organizations often have connections with local farmers and can provide recommendations for where to purchase quarter beef. Additionally, some farmers may sell their products at these markets, allowing you to meet the farmer in person and ask questions about their practices.
Before purchasing quarter beef from a farm, it’s important to do your research. Ask questions about how the animals are raised, what they’re fed, and how they’re processed. Make sure the farm meets your standards for ethical and sustainable practices. By taking the time to find a reputable local farm, you can ensure that you’re getting high-quality beef while supporting small-scale agriculture in your community.
What To Expect When Buying A Quarter Beef
When you purchase a quarter beef, you are not charged per pound of take-home meat. Instead, you are charged per pound of hanging weight. The hanging weight is determined immediately after the animal is harvested and hung. After it is weighed, cows ‘hang’ for 14-28 days, which is an ideal range for improving the taste and tenderness of the meat. Actual take-home meat will be 25-40% less than hanging weight due to moisture loss during hanging, breed (ratio of meat to bone/non-meat), and cartilage/bones/waste during the butchering process.
Your average price of take-home meat is calculated once final take-home meat is weighed, and that is divided by your initial quarter share payment. Typically, a quarter beef includes a mix of steaks, roasts, ground beef, and stew meat. Roughly speaking, 1/2 of your meat will be ground and stew, 1/4 will be roasts (chuck, shoulder, rump, sirloin tip etc.), and 1/4 will be steaks (sirloin, prime/rib, T-bone, filet mignon, tenderloin etc.). In addition to meat, you also have the option of requesting soup bones, dog bones, offal (oxtail, kidney, tongue, heart, tallow), or custom cuts (which may cost a little more than standard cuts).
A quarter beef typically includes a few more types of cuts than an eighth beef like flank steak or brisket and stew meat and short ribs. The hanging weight for each animal can vary between 120-180 pounds with final packaged weights averaging around 90-100 pounds. It’s important to plan for freezer space when purchasing a quarter beef. A quarter beef needs about 4 cubic feet of freezer space which can easily fit into a 5-7 cubic foot chest freezer.
When purchasing a quarter beef from a local farm that employs sustainable practices and promotes humane treatment of their animals, you are investing in your local economy while also supporting ethical farming practices. By doing your research and asking questions about the farm’s practices and processes, you can ensure that you are getting high-quality beef that meets your standards.
How To Store And Prepare Your Beef
Once you’ve purchased your quarter beef, it’s important to properly store and prepare it to ensure its freshness and safety for consumption. Here are some tips on how to store and prepare your beef:
1. Transfer the beef: If you’re planning to store beef beyond the day you bought it, transfer it to a dish and cover loosely with plastic wrap or foil. This allows airflow and ensures your beef doesn’t sweat. It’s fine to use a plastic container if air can circulate the meat.
2. Temperature control: Most cuts of beef can be safely stored in the refrigerator at temperatures between 33°F and 40°F for 3 or 4 days. They can be stored in a freezer with a temperature of 0°F or less for 6 to 12 months. Refrigerated ground beef should be used within 1 or 2 days and can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months. Leftover cooked beef that is refrigerated should be used within 3 or 4 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
3. Trust your senses: First and foremost, trust your senses. Fresh meat should be stored in a refrigerator at 40 F or below. Pay attention to “packed on” or “use by” dates to make sure you are using meat while it’s fresh. Meat should have a good, bright color (not gray), should be moist and fresh to the touch (not sticky or tacky), and most of all, trust your nose—often meat that is spoiling will have a strong odor.
4. Proper handling: Wash your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before preparing your beef. Thaw meat in the refrigerator or microwave (at reduced power setting). Never defrost meat on the kitchen counter. Carefully wash cutting boards with hot, soapy water or a solution of bleach and water. Some cutting boards can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
5. Freezing: When you want to keep meat for longer than 2 or 3 days, freezing is the best way to ensure long-term quality. Make sure to remove meats from grocery store packaging. Trays and plastic wraps are not moisture vapor resistant, meaning your meat will dry out and develop freezer burn faster. Re-wrap them using butcher’s paper, a freezer bag, or a vacuum sealer.
6. Refrigeration: Keep beef below 40 °F during storage. Store uncooked beef items together, separate from cooked foods. Refrigerate or freeze fresh beef IMMEDIATELY after bringing it home.
7. Thawing: Meat should only ever be thawed in the fridge or in cold water. Thawing at room temperature can be extremely dangerous and invite bacteria growth.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your quarter beef stays fresh and safe for consumption while also maintaining its quality and flavor.
