If you’ve ever thought about buying beef in bulk for your family, you’ve probably come across the terms “half cow” and “quarter” cow. But what do they actually mean? And which one is better for your family?
Let’s break it down, from one local family to another.
What’s the Difference Between a Half Cow and a Quarter Cow?
When you buy a half cow, you’re getting one side of the animal. That means roughly 200 to 250 pounds of beef, depending on the size of the animal. This will fill a chest freezer and can feed a family of four for about a year.
A quarter cow is just what it sounds like: half of a half. You’ll end up with around 100 to 125 pounds of beef, which is a great starting point if you’re tight on freezer space or trying this out for the first time.
Both options give you a mix of ground beef, steaks, roasts, ribs, and other cuts. And both are custom cut, meaning you can choose things like steak thickness, roast sizes, and how many pounds of ground beef per package.
Which One is Better for Families?
Here’s the short answer: It depends on your family’s size, how often you cook, and how much freezer space you have.
A half cow might be right for you if:
- You cook at home often (especially with hungry kids!)
- You have a deep freezer with at least 14-cubic feet of space.
- You want to stock up and save money per pound.
A quarter cow might be better if:
- You’re new to buying beef in bulk.
- You have a smaller freezer.
- You want to try it out before going bigger.
Many families in the West Chicagoland suburbs — Batavia, Geneva, Naperville — start with a quarter, then come back for a half once they see how convenient and affordable it is.
Why Buy from a Local Farm like Nadig Farms?
When you buy a half or quarter cow from Nadig Farms, you’re getting:
- Locally raised beef, right here in Northern Illinois
- No middlemen — just your family and ours.
- Transparent pricing with no surprises.
- A chance to support small, family-run agriculture (like us!)
Plus, we walk you through the whole process — from cuts to delivery — so there’s no guesswork.
So… Half or Quarter Cow?
Here’s what we tell folks: If you’ve got the space and you’re ready to stock up for more than 6 months, go for the half. If you’re testing the waters, or don’t have much freezer room, start with a quarter.
Either way, you’re feeding your family high-quality, local beef that tastes great and supports a local farm.
Ready to Reserve Your Beef?
At Nadig Farms, we offer both half (1/2) and quarter (1/4) cow packages, and we’d be honored to help your family fill your freezer.
Got questions? Give us a call or contact us — we’re happy to help.
