Pastured. Period.
Our animals are NEVER fed corn or feed.
How much does grass-finished beef cost?
We sell beef by the "bundle" and by the 1/4, 1/2 and whole beef. Read on to learn everything you need to know about buying beef.
For information on buying goat, please scroll toward the bottom of the page.
Beef bundles
Our 10 pound bundle is $160 and includes approximately:
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5 pounds ground beef
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a 2-3 pound roast or stew meat
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2 pounds of steaks
Our 25 pound bundle is $335 and includes approximately:
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10 pounds of ground beef
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three, 3 pound roasts or stew meat
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6 pounds of steak
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2 packages of beef bones or
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offal if desired (heart, tongue, liver and / or tallow) while available
Ground beef bundle:
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10 pounds for $90
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25 pounds for $200
Dog goodie bundle $40:
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Two packages beef bones (about 8 bones total)
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Two packages ground beef
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One package Beef liver
Bundles will be available for pick up at the farm, or we will deliver for a $10 charge to the Des Moines metro area when we are headed to DSM.
Individual cuts, bones and offal are available for pick up on the farm.
What about 1/4, 1/2 and whole beef?
The most economical way to purchase our beef is by the 1/4, 1/2 and whole beef. We charge $3.95 (whole beef), $4.25 (half beef), $4.55 (quarter beef), per pound hanging weight for your share, plus the locker processing fees (we use the Milo Locker) and any delivery fees.
The grand total of your beef will come out to somewhere around $8.13-$9.09 per pound for the amount of beef you take home. Considering you get steaks, roasts and ground beef, this comes out to a much more economic deal than buying at the grocery store. And it is of much better quality and higher nutritional value.
We can deliver your 1/4, 1/2 and whole beef in Des Moines or comparable distances (up to 1 hour from Lovilia, Iowa) for a $75 charge.
How do you calculate the cost for a quarter, half or whole animal?
If your calf's live weight is 1100 pounds, the hanging weight (minus head, hide, feet and entrails) should come out to about 60% of the total weight, or 660 pounds. The hanging weight is the basis of what you are charged by us and the locker.
Once the butchers are done trimming excess fat and bones, your "take home weight" is approximately .65 of the hanging weight, so the formula for take home weight and price of an 1100 pound beef is as follows.**
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Whole - 660 lb. hanging weight x .65 = ~430 lb. take home weight. The hanging weight price (660 lb. x $3.95) is $2607 plus $890 in processing charges comes to $3497. So, $3497 divided by 430 lb. of beef comes out to an average price of $8.13 per pound for everything (steaks, ground and roasts).**
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Half - 330 lb. hanging weight x .65 = ~ 215 lb. take home weight. The hanging weight price (330 lb. x $4.25) is $1402 plus $445 in processing charges comes to $1847. So, $1847 divided by 215 lb. of beef comes out to an average price of $8.59 per pound for everything (steaks, ground and roasts).**
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Quarter - 165 lb. hanging weight x .65 = ~ 107 lb. take home weight. The hanging weight price (165 lb. x $4.55) is $751 plus $222 in processing charges comes to $973. So, $973 divided by 107 lb. of beef comes out to an average price of $9.09 per pound for steaks, ground and roasts.**
** These numbers are estimates. You can (and we hope you will), take home your bones, fat and variety meats (tongue, heart and such) which can seriously reduce your per pound price for the beef.
How does the process work?
1. First, inquire about purchasing beef, either by filling out the form below, or by emailing John at johnbutcherman@gmail.com. You can also call him at 641-218-8480.
2. Review our upcoming processing dates with John and find one to fit your needs.
3. Reserve your place by sending in a $100 deposit.
4. John will then get in touch with you a few weeks before the cattle are dropped off at Milo. At this point you can:
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work directly with Milo in selecting your cuts.
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OR you can discuss how to have your beef cut with John - an artisanal butcher and chef. John can talk you through many of the decisions and make cooking recommendations. You will then be prepared to pass on your cut requests to Milo.
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Finally, your beef can be delivered for $75, or you can pick it up yourself at Milo.
All of the meat is cryovac sealed for you and delivered frozen.
What about goats?
Our goat pricing is $8.00 per pound hanging weight for a whole goat, and $9.50 per pound for a half goat, so a 35 pound hanging weight whole goat will cost ~$400. The price for a half goat will be ~$225 These prices covers locker fees. Locker fees for a goat average $120 regardless of weight.
We are working with the Moravia Locker for our goat harvests and have been very happy with their responsiveness and quality of cuts.
If you know how you want your goat cut, you can work directly with Moravia locker in selecting your cuts.
Or, you can discuss how to have your goat cut with John - an artisanal butcher and chef. John can talk you through many of the decisions and make cooking recommendations. You will then be prepared to pass on your cut requests to Moravia locker.
As with beef, your goat can be delivered within 75 miles for a $75 fee.
Fill out the form above or call John at 641-891-4950.
I have other questions not covered here. What do I do?
If you have questions about the beef, this process or anything else about the farm you can also call and chat with John at 641-891-4950.
And if your freezer is full but you would like to be on our mailing list for beef in the future, please fill out the form below as well and we will contact you.
Thank you for your support!
~John and Beth