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Beef share guides
Straight answers to the questions people ask before buying beef from a farm. Every number is cited.
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What is a beef share?
A beef share is part of one animal bought from a farm: a quarter, half or whole. How share sizes, pricing, processing and pickup work, with sources.
How much does half a cow cost in Michigan?
Michigan farms post $3.00 to $10.00/lb hanging weight (median $4.63). Half estimates run about $1,450 to $2,915. Processing is often extra. Checked Oct 27.
How to find a beef processor in Michigan
Michigan has no state meat inspection program, so USDA handles it. Learn how inspected and custom-exempt processing differ and what to ask a processor.
How much does half a cow cost in Florida?
Florida farms list a half cow at about $2,750–$3,750 flat, or $4.50–$8.00 per lb hanging weight. Prices from Florida farm websites, checked Oct 27, 2026.
How much does half a cow cost in Indiana?
Indiana farms list a half cow at about $1,550 to $2,750 flat, or $3.75 to $7.25 per lb hanging weight. Prices come from farm websites, checked Oct 27, 2026.
How much does half a cow cost in Ohio?
Ohio farms list a half cow at $3.95 to $9.49 per lb hanging weight, or about $2,000 to $2,200 flat. Prices come from farm websites, checked Oct 27, 2026.
Hanging weight vs. take-home weight
Hanging weight is the carcass before cutting. Take-home weight is what goes in your freezer, often 60–70% of hanging weight. How to compare farm quotes.
How much freezer space do you need for a quarter cow?
Plan about 4–5 cubic feet for a quarter cow, about 8–10 for a half and 15–20 for a whole. Extension rule: 1 cubic foot holds 35–40 lb of beef.
Beef cut sheet explained
A cut sheet tells the processor how to cut your share: steak thickness, roast and package size, bone-in or boneless, and what to grind. A plain walkthrough.
How to find a beef processor in Florida
Florida has no state meat inspection program; USDA FSIS covers it. Custom-exempt vs. USDA-inspected processing, and how farms book processors for shares.
Questions to ask a farm before buying a beef share
Before you pay a deposit on a quarter or half cow, ask about price basis, processing fees, deposit refunds, processing date, cuts and pickup. Farm examples.
Quarter vs. half vs. whole cow
A quarter is about 100–115 lb of beef, a half about 200–230 lb, and a whole about 400–460 lb, per Florida farms. Compare price, freezer space and cut choice.