Buy Our Beef
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First time? No worries!
Continue reading to see how the process works.
How it works
At Triple Crown Cattle, we are in the business of selling healthy, happy, grass-fed animals. Purchasing local meat is a two-step process involving buying a cow and acquiring butchering services from a local butcher.
Overview
Since whole animal butchery is a new experience for our first-time clients, we will spend about 30 minutes on the phone walking you through the process. We will give you helpful tips so you can navigate the various options for your cuts of meat. We are here to help you have a great experience and will spend the time necessary to answer any questions.
Step 1
We sell 1/4's, 1/2's, and whole cattle.
Once you decide on a purchase, we will identify and schedule one of the animals from our herd.
Step 2
We will transport the cow to one of several local butchers in the state of California when the animal is ready.
Typically, the butchers will 'dry-age' the carcass for at least 14 days.
After this process, they will process the meat according to the instructions on your “cut sheet”.
Once the meat is ready, you will pick it up at the butcher.
Standard Beef Shares
What to expect from each size beef.
How we price
Our Fees
We charge $5.35/lb for our 100% grass-fed beef.
We currently sell whole, 1/2, and 1/4 cows.
We set the price of the cattle on the carcass weight, typically between 550 and 650 pounds. (This is the weight of the animal with the head, hide, legs, entrails, and excess fat removed.)
To purchase a half beef, you'll be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $1,000. Once the weight of the beef is determined, you'll receive an invoice for the remainder due.
Butcher Fees
The butcher's fee is paid separately and each one has their own special services and pricing structure.
Our cows are usually butchered between 12 and 18 months from when you place your order.
You have the option to choose between several local butchers for processing. The butcher shop will communicate with you directly regarding the cut and wrap process and when they expect to have the meat ready for you. They will always strive to meet your preferred timeline.
The custom cut and wrap fees for butchers are around $1.10 per pound and charged on the hanging weight. Depending on the exact hanging weight, cut and wrap charges will amount to approximately $330-$385, paid directly to the butcher shop.
Sample Pricing
A steer that weighs 600 lb. will usually yield between 350 and 400 lbs. of wrapped meat depending on what selections are made with the butcher. So, for a ½ cow, you would get between 175 and 200 lbs of meat, which comes out to around $11/lb. for wrapped meat.
To further explain, a cow will break down roughly into 1/3 steaks, 1/3 roasts, and 1/3 hamburger, so if our ½ cow yielded 180 lbs. of wrapped meat then you would get steaks, roasts, and hamburgers that weigh 60 lbs. each.
If you were to do some rough estimates, this means you are paying about $19/lb. for the steaks, $11/lb. for the roasts, and $7/lb. for the hamburger.
This is a great value for our all-natural, 100% grass-fed beef.
Estimated Total Cost
The cost estimate for a ½ cow with a 600lb carcass would be:
350 lbs. *$5.35/lb. = $1,872 to the Farmers
+ Processor's Fee based on carcass weight plus additional service fees (averages $385)
Total $2,257
