What is a Quarter Cow? Complete Guide to Buying Beef Shares
Everything you need to know about buying a quarter cow - from what's included to how much meat you'll get, storage requirements, and why it's the perfect option for small families and couples.
What is a Quarter Cow?
A quarter cow is exactly what it sounds like - one-fourth of a whole cow. When you buy a quarter cow, you're purchasing a portion of a beef animal that has been raised, processed, and packaged specifically for your freezer.
This is different from buying individual cuts at the grocery store. With a quarter cow, you get a complete variety of cuts - steaks, roasts, ground beef, and specialty cuts - all from the same animal, processed to your specifications.
What's Included in a Quarter Cow?
Premium Steaks
- Ribeye steaks
- Strip steaks
- Filet mignon
- T-bone steaks
- Porterhouse steaks
Roasts & Ground Beef
- Chuck roasts
- Rump roasts
- Round roasts
- Ground beef
- Stew meat
How Much Meat Do You Get?
A quarter cow typically yields 100-125 lbs of hanging weight, which results in approximately 65-70 lbs of packaged meat for your freezer.
The difference between hanging weight and packaged weight is due to:
- Bone removal
- Fat trimming
- Moisture loss during processing
Quarter Cow Yield
100-125 lbs
Hanging Weight
65-70 lbs
Packaged Meat
6-8 months
For 2-3 people
Quarter Cow Pricing
$800 - $1,200
Typical price range for a quarter cow
What's Included in the Price
- Processing and packaging
- Custom cutting
- USDA inspection
- Vacuum sealing
Payment Terms
- 25-30% deposit to reserve
- Balance due at processing
- Secure online payment
Storage Requirements
A quarter cow requires approximately 4-6 cubic feet of freezer space. This is easily accommodated by a standard home freezer.
Freezer Recommendations
- Standard home freezer (7-9 cubic feet)
- Chest freezer or stand-up freezer
- Maintains 0°F or below
Storage Timeline
Why Buy a Quarter Cow?
Perfect for Small Families
Ideal for couples or families of 2-3 people. Provides enough meat for 6-8 months without overwhelming your freezer space.
Better Value
Significantly cheaper per pound compared to buying individual cuts at the grocery store. Quality grass-fed beef at wholesale prices.
Quality Assurance
Know exactly where your beef comes from. Direct from trusted Pennsylvania farmers with transparent practices.
Convenience
No more weekly trips to the store for meat. Your freezer is stocked with quality beef ready for any meal.
Ready to Buy Your Quarter Cow?
Join our buyer list to be notified when quarter cow shares become available from trusted Pennsylvania farmers in your area.