Thinking about buying a half or full cow.

[Cameramonkey]

That was on the people you went in with. Every butcher we have used will cut it the way you want it. You get the cuts you want, packaged the sizes you want.

But forgetting the cut issues, the meat itself wasnt that great. I think the hamburger was the only part that was on par with what we were used to.

But hopefully OP has a better outcome.

 

[Jsomerset]

Just stay away from Scottish Highland. Bought a half 5 years ago ate maybe 5# and trashed the rest! The meat was rank! Had 4 other people in the group that thought the same. Couldn’t give the stuff away. Fed it all to the dogs.

 

[KLB]

But forgetting the cut issues, the meat itself wasnt that great. I think the hamburger was the only part that was on par with what we were used to.

But hopefully OP has a better outcome.

That is where it helps to know who is raising it. Of course part of it is just a crap shoot.

 

[snapping turtle]

If you have some land and some time you can grow cows. We used to get bottle calf’s cheap from a dairy farm. I think they want the calf’s gone early so mom makes more milk. Have to bottle feed them for a while. Full size dairy cows take some room.

now they have lowland angus cows. A full sized cow is like 500 lbs hoof weight and if you can butcher out a deer a cow should be more of less the same at this (elk size).
Less maintainer 2 cows feed on an acre of land. Not bad on fencing.

most are used to grain feed beef. Grass feed beef has a much different taste so maybe the rancid beef was grass feed. I grew up on mainly grass feed beef. Now my uncle tops them off with grain before butcher shop comes calling them.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

If you have some land and some time you can grow cows.

I never had any luck growing cows. I think I was either planting them too deep or too close together.

 

[Lee11b]

Black angus is awesome!!!! I have a work/friend farmer. No hormones, or antibiotics. They are grain, hay, and grass fed. He charges me hanging weight instead of hoof weight. It worked out to about $4 a pound. You can really taste the difference, even when we make tacos!!!! T-bones, fillet mignon, new york strip, hamburger, etc. We buy about every other year. He gives me free delivery when I give him and his daughter a boat ride.....it's a win win!!!

 

[snapping turtle]

I never had any luck growing cows. I think I was either planting them too deep or too close together.

I was going to say breed cows but with this audience I was afraid to go there.

 

[Thor]

When you order be very specific about the cuts you want...you might end up with a freezer full of ground beef.

 

[KLB]

When you order be very specific about the cuts you want...you might end up with a freezer full of ground beef.

We are specific and we end up with a freezer full of ground beef.

 

[NKBJ]

How much freezer space for a wrapped half cow? 9 cubic feet?

 

[KLB]

How much freezer space for a wrapped half cow? 9 cubic feet?

I'd plan on more than that, unless your plan is to just drop it all into a chest freezer and dig for whatever you want.

We have a 23cuft upright freezer, and it takes up probably 2/3-3/4 of it. Of course you lose a lot to empty space in an upright, but I am able to sort it and find what I want.

 

[rhamersley]

I'd plan on more than that, unless your plan is to just drop it all into a chest freezer and dig for whatever you want.

We have a 23cuft upright freezer, and it takes up probably 3/4 of it. Of course you lose a lot to empty space in an upright, but I am able to sort it and find what I want.

Lowe’s can help (forgive me, I posted this once, but it fits here SOOO good)

 

[NKBJ]

I'd plan on more than that, unless your plan is to just drop it all into a chest freezer and dig for whatever you want.

We have a 23cuft upright freezer, and it takes up probably 2/3-3/4 of it. Of course you lose a lot to empty space in an upright, but I am able to sort it and find what I want.

We've tried to figger what best to use for retention in uprights. Milk crates, baskets, boxes...
Nothing is perfect.

 

[KLB]

We've tried to figger what best to use for retention in uprights. Milk crates, baskets, boxes...
Nothing is perfect.

True. I've had good luck stacking the beef. It is nice to be able to access more of the stuff in there, so it is worth the loss is space.

We have a chest freezer as well, but I generally prefer the upright.

 

[woowoo2]

I never had any luck growing cows. I think I was either planting them too deep or too close together.

Next time, try Mooooo-ving them father apart.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Next time, try Mooooo-ving them father apart.

 

[JamesV]

I friend of mine had a chest type years ago and had trouble with getting items all the way at the bottom and finding specific items. I mentioned to use milk crates at the bottom of the freezer to elevate the items, helped a lot but lost that space. Also to write down on sheets of paper and tape to the outside of the freezer what's inside, across the top to show what's inside directly under said piece of paper. This helped to figure out what is left, things get marked off as they come out, and where items are.

 

[rhamersley]

I tried using a chest freezer, but the cow wouldn’t keep it on…

 

[foszoe]

Any suggestions on a farm or butcher to use? New to this. Just now have a huge deep freeze and a friend who wants to go in on it with me. Would love to have a fully stocked freezer. Thanks everyone.

This Old Farm in Colfax. http://shop.thisoldfarminc.com/index.php/cPath/23/osCsid/05e7h0c2ivunt1geh27bs7nha7

 

[Expat]

Toughness or flavor is one of those things that you are rolling the dice on buying a whole cow. If it isn't great, that is a lot to look forward to.