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Buy a quarter or half cow from an Illinois farm

Stock your freezer with beef from an Illinois farm you know by name. We found 22 Illinois farms that sell quarter, half or whole beef shares, from Jo Daviess County to the Metro East and Southern Illinois. For each one, we put the posted price, what the price is based on, the deposit and the processor in one place, wherever the farm lists them. Compare them side by side, then order straight from the farm.

Farm details checked on each farm's own site on Oct 29, 2026.

Photo: Mark Stebnicki on Pexels

Price badges show the lowest posted number on the farm's site: "From $" is a package price, "/lb" is per pound on the stated basis. "Unknown" means the farm's site doesn't say. We never guess.

"Shares open" means the farm's own website said, on the date checked, that shares, slots or reservations are available. "Sold out" means the site said current shares are sold out. We don't guess a status the farm hasn't posted.

Farms by region

Northern Illinois

7 farms

Central Illinois

7 farms

Eastern Illinois

2 farms

Western Illinois

1 farm

Metro East & Southern Illinois

4 farms

Region not stated

1 farm

Northern Illinois

Central Illinois

Eastern Illinois

Western Illinois

Metro East & Southern Illinois

Region not stated

Download the data: JSON · CSV. Missing a farm? Tell us.

Guides for Illinois: How much does half a cow cost in Illinois?

Illinois beef share FAQ

How many farms sell beef shares in Illinois?

We found 22 Illinois farms and ranches that list quarter, half or whole beef shares on their own websites, checked on Oct 29, 2026. By region: Northern Illinois 7, Central Illinois 7, Eastern Illinois 2, Western Illinois 1, Metro East & Southern Illinois 4; 1 didn't state its area.

Which Illinois farms have beef shares available now?

On Oct 29, 2026, 5 farms said on their own website that shares were open: Brass Family Farm, Bremer Brothers, Nadig Farms, Spivey Cattle Company and Sumner Point Beef. Two said current shares were sold out, and 15 didn't state a status. Availability changes, so confirm with the farm.

How much does a beef share cost per pound in Illinois?

Nine Illinois farms post a price per lb hanging weight. Leaving out one whose price list is dated 2024/2025 and using each farm's lowest posted rate, they run from $3.75 per lb hanging weight (Meadow Haven Farm) to $7.55 per lb hanging weight (Blackhaven Ranch), and the median is $4.75 per lb hanging weight. Four farms price by the share instead, with a set price, a range or the farm's own estimate; one charges per lb take-home weight, and one charges per lb live weight. Live-weight, hanging-weight and take-home-weight prices aren't directly comparable. Live weight is the whole animal before slaughter, hanging weight is the carcass before cutting, and you take home less than either. Ask the farm what's included and what processing costs extra. On processing, 13 farms say it's paid separately, 1 says it's included, and the rest don't say.

Can I buy a quarter cow in Illinois?

Yes. All 22 farms list quarter shares; 21 list halves, 17 list whole beef and 2 list eighths, per their own websites on Oct 29, 2026.

Is beef in Illinois state- or USDA-inspected?

Illinois runs its own state meat inspection program through the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection, alongside USDA inspection. Beef from a state-inspected plant can generally be sold only within Illinois. If you live outside Illinois, ask the farm whether its beef is USDA-inspected before you buy.

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