How Much Meat is in a Half Cow? Complete Breakdown
Get the exact breakdown of how much meat you'll receive from a half cow - from steaks to ground beef, we'll show you exactly what to expect in your beef share.
Quick Answer: How Much Meat in a Half Cow?
A half cow typically yields 200-250 pounds of meat, depending on the size of the animal and how it's processed. This includes a variety of cuts from steaks to ground beef.
Detailed Half Cow Meat Breakdown
Premium Steaks (30-40 lbs)
- Ribeye steaks (8-12 steaks)
- Strip steaks (8-12 steaks)
- Filet mignon (4-6 steaks)
- T-bone steaks (4-6 steaks)
- Porterhouse steaks (2-4 steaks)
- Sirloin steaks (6-8 steaks)
Roasts (20-30 lbs)
- Chuck roast (4-6 lbs)
- Rump roast (4-6 lbs)
- Sirloin tip roast (4-6 lbs)
- Arm roast (4-6 lbs)
- Round roast (4-6 lbs)
Ground Beef (140-160 lbs)
- Ground beef (80/20 lean)
- Ground beef (85/15 lean)
- Ground beef (90/10 lean)
- Ground beef patties
Specialty Cuts (10-20 lbs)
- Short ribs
- Flank steak
- Skirt steak
- Brisket
- Soup bones
- Stew meat
Factors That Affect Half Cow Meat Yield
Animal Size
Larger animals naturally yield more meat. A 1,400-pound steer will produce more meat than a 1,200-pound steer. Most half cows come from animals weighing 1,200-1,400 pounds.
Processing Options
How you choose to have your meat processed affects yield. Bone-in cuts weigh more but have less edible meat. Boneless cuts provide more usable meat but weigh less.
Fat Content
Grass-fed beef typically has less fat than grain-finished beef, which can affect the total weight. However, grass-fed beef often has better flavor and nutritional benefits.
Cut Preferences
Your cutting preferences can affect yield. More steaks mean less ground beef, and vice versa. Most processors can accommodate your preferences.
Storage Requirements for a Half Cow
Freezer Space Needed
A half cow requires approximately 8-10 cubic feet of freezer space. This is roughly the size of a medium chest freezer or a large upright freezer.
- Chest freezer: 8-10 cubic feet
- Upright freezer: 8-10 cubic feet
- Large chest freezer: 12-15 cubic feet
Storage Tips
- Keep freezer at 0°F or below
- Use airtight packaging
- Label packages with dates
- Rotate meat regularly
- Avoid freezer burn
- Organize by cut type
Half Cow Cost Comparison
Half Cow Cost
Total cost for 200-250 lbs of meat
Average cost per pound
Grocery Store Comparison
Savings: Buying a half cow can save you 30-50% compared to buying individual cuts at the grocery store, especially on premium cuts like steaks.
Ready to Order Your Half Cow?
Now that you know exactly how much meat you'll get from a half cow, join our buyer list to be notified when shares become available from trusted farmers in your area.
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