Buying a cow

[Mike W.]

Hi!

Just wondering if anybody here has bought a cow. I know this sounds strange because I've never heard it done before, but here's the low down.

There's this place that you can go to and purchase a whole cow. They will then butcher it all up to your liking and then you can cook it up. I believe it's a couple of hundred bucks to buy one, but just wondered if anybody has done this on here. Also, is the meat good? Would you recommend doing this? I have a buddy that wants me to go in with him, but spending like a hundred bucks or so is sort of a lot of money for me now. But, if the beef is good or anybody recommends this, I may do it.


Thanks!

 

[Doug D]

When I was young, my family used to buy a side of beef every so often from a local farmer and have it processed at a nearby packing plant. The cool thing was you could specify how you wanted everything-- how thick the steaks, how many hamburger patties to a pack, etc. The quality of the beef depends on the cow. The farmer we dealt with-- a lifelong family friend-- raised Polled Hereford in the Midwest, and it was as good or better than anything I've eaten there or anywhere since. I'd have to ask my Dad what the costs were, but we're talking 30 years ago, so...

 

[Jim_W]

If you can buy a whole butchered beef for 200 bucks you better jump on it!

Maybe you meant the slaughter/butcher fee is 200.00?

Jim

 

[Mark Dawson]

We occasionally purchase a quarter of beef from a relative (a whole cow is a lot of meat). The cost per pound (hanging weight) is generally about what one would pay for hamburger in a store.

If you don't know the farmer, you should check references. My relatives take tlc of their beef cattle. Not all places do.

Mark

 

[Jerry N.]

All I'm thinking is once you determine whether or not the meat is good, how good is your freezer and how reliable is your electricity?

 

[Robert Willcockson]

We have purchased part of a steer twice in the last two years. Very high quality and TENDER meat. Cut to your specifications.
Have them hang it for 14-28 days. Don't forget to tell them you want the briskit.
Our only complaint is that you get spoiled and store bought meat is never quite as good from then on....................................

 

[Bryan S]

Robert, you are right. When you get a side of beef the quality is superior to store bought meat.