How much to butcher a cow?

[Txjourneyman]

Now that we have sold our horses I'm considering a cow or two to keep the grass down. I'm thinking I'll keep them around until fall and then have them butchered.
How much does that cost? I've never done this so I have no idea what I'm looking at to turn bessie into burgers and steaks.

[Speedgoat]

Do it yourself. Just youtube search it and see how it gets done Save yourself some jack!!!

[Howard]

When I have a show steer done it is 450 or so....but thats 1300lb animal

typically if 500-600 pound calf its 300 or less sometimes

[yanta61]

Do it yourself. Just youtube search it and see how it gets done Save yourself some jack!!!

I did this 2 years ago. would not recommend it unless you have a walk-in cooler and a good band saw.

[flinch]

just think of it as you finally got that big bull elk you have been dreaming of and you will save some money

[Txjourneyman]

Do it yourself. Just youtube search it and see how it gets done Save yourself some jack!!!

I'm not allowed to play with sharp objects!

[Rather_B_Fishin]

At the house our packin house charges .65 a pound hanging weight with a $30 kill fee.

[Uncle Doug]

It will depend on the hanging weight of the calf. Call a local packer to get the current prices. We have had several done over the years.
The best weight to do it is to raise 2-3 calfs and sell 1-2 to cover the processing and feed for both,

Just don't let the kids give them names or you will end up selling all of them and buying a side of beef.

[cattlelackranch]

Depends on how you process them and what cuts you want. A good processor will walk you through this.


I recommend finding someone who vacuum packs them. Worth the extra money IMO. Meats lasts longer and you don't throw much out.

Also get your ground beef in 1 and 2 lb packages. Works great for recipes.

[Bonesplitter]

Just remember if you feed it out to fatten it up the cost goes up as well.

[ckuehl]

I am not sure what it would cost but if you decide to sell half let me know. I bought half a cow on here a couple of years ago and the meat lasted forever. It was very tasty as well.

[Old Goat1]

Been having them processed for years. Find you a small local processing facility that doesn't have a full time meat inspector on staff. Your meat will be stamped NOT FOR SALE because of the lack of a USDA inspector, but you will pay less. Even the small processors have rigid inspections. That has shut down a lot of them accross the state. The prices quoted above are pretty close.

[The BARn]

Might check with the local High School Ag Dept. in your area. Has saved us hundreds!!

[jfalcone8]

LOL ole greg is always up to something! Good gravy. Cant get that from the university?

[Txjourneyman]

LOL ole greg is always up to something! Good gravy. Cant get that from the university?

WOW! I need to find out if Aramark has a butcher on staff! Maybe I can get that from work! LOL!