Ordering a half cow is simple. You place your order online to reserve your share with a deposit. Once the animal is harvested and processed, the final take-home weight is confirmed. We’ll contact you with your balance due and pickup details when your beef is ready.

Yes, many customers choose to split a half cow with another family. You’ll still receive approximately half of the beef, and the order can be divided evenly when you pick it up. Any cut preferences should be agreed upon ahead of time.

Our pricing is based on take-home weight, which is the weight of the beef after it is cut, trimmed, and packaged. This reflects the actual amount of meat you will receive, making it easier to plan freezer space and meals.

Yes, a deposit is required to reserve your half cow. This ensures we can plan processing and inventory accurately. Deposits are non-refundable once the animal is scheduled for processing, but they are applied directly toward your final total.

Plan on 14 to 16 cubic feet for a half. It’s about 250 lb of packaged beef, and in a real freezer the packages, baskets and compressor step take more room than the beef alone. A 14.8 cubic foot chest freezer fits a half comfortably. Splitting with another family? Each of you needs about 7 to 8 cubic feet.

Processing is not included in our price per pound. The processor charges it for cutting, vacuum-sealing and labeling your beef to your order. We pay the processor directly when your beef is ready and add the fee to your final invoice at cost, with no markup. The price breakdown at the top of this page shows the current estimate, and your cart and order summary show an estimated processing fee, so you can see your full estimated total before you reserve. You see the exact processing amount before you pay your balance.

The remaining balance is due after processing is complete and your final take-home weight is confirmed. You’ll receive the final total before delivery so there are no surprises.

When properly wrapped and kept frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, beef will maintain its quality 12 – 18 months. Ground beef is best used within about 12 months, while steaks and roasts can last longer to 18 months.

Take-home weight refers to the amount of packaged beef you receive after processing. It is different from live weight or hanging weight.

The processing fee covers cutting, vacuum-sealing and labeling your beef to your order at AJ’s Lena Maid Meats or Johnson’s Processing. The two processors charge different rates, and the price breakdown at the top of this page shows the current estimate.

The final price is calculated after processing, once the beef is weighed and ready. You will receive a confirmation email before delivery or pickup.

A half cow includes a wide variety of cuts such as steaks, roasts, ground beef, and specialty cuts. This typically includes ribeye, T-bone or New York strip steaks, sirloin, chuck roasts, brisket, and ground beef. The exact cuts depend on processing options and the size of the animal.

Yes. You’ll have the opportunity to customize how your beef is cut, including steak thickness, roast sizes, and ground beef packaging. Cut instructions are provided to the processor before processing begins.

The exact number varies based on the animal’s size and your cut preferences. On average, a half cow yields a balanced mix of steaks, roasts, and ground beef, with ground beef making up the largest portion. Most families receive enough variety for many months of meals.

Steaks are typically cut between 1 and 1 and a half inches thick unless you request otherwise. You can request thicker or thinner cuts when submitting your processing preferences.

Our cattle are raised locally with a strong focus on animal care, nutrition, and responsible farming practices. We believe that healthy cattle produce better-tasting, higher-quality beef.

Your half is processed at one of our two processing partners. AJ’s Lena Maid Meats in Lena is USDA inspected. Johnson’s Processing in Chadwick is inspected by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, under a state program held to standards equal to USDA. We tell you which one handles your half when we confirm your date.

Buying a half cow gives you better value per pound, higher quality beef, and transparency about where your food comes from. You also get a freezer stocked with a wide variety of cuts, helping families save money and shop less often.

For many families, buying a half cow is one of the most cost-effective ways to purchase high-quality beef. It provides months of meals, predictable pricing, and peace of mind knowing exactly where your beef comes from.

Yes. A half cow is a great option for families who want to try buying beef in bulk without committing to a full cow. We guide you through every step of the process.

That’s completely normal. Many of our customers are first-time buyers. We’re happy to explain the process, answer questions, and make sure you feel confident from order to pickup.

Your all-in cost per pound is our price per packaged pound plus the processing fee, spread across your beef. A typical half is about 250 lb of packaged beef. The price breakdown at the top of this page shows the current price per pound, processing estimate and all-in total, and our estimator works it out for your household.

When comparing similar quality cuts, buying a half cow is typically more affordable than purchasing individual cuts at the grocery store, especially over time.

A half cow can provide hundreds of meals depending on portion sizes and household habits. Many families find it supplies beef for 6 – 12 months.

Yes. Bulk beef allows families to lock in pricing, reduce grocery trips, and enjoy consistent quality while often paying less per pound overall.

Beef prices in 2026 are higher due to a combination of factors, including reduced cattle herds, higher feed and fuel costs, more people eating beef today (higher demand), and ongoing supply chain pressures across the beef industry. Weather events and long-term shifts in agriculture have also reduced overall beef supply, which drives prices up.

For a detailed breakdown of what’s driving beef prices higher and how it affects families buying beef today, read our full article here: Why Beef Costs What It Does in 2026

We deliver across Chicagoland, including Lake, DuPage, Will, McHenry and Kendall counties, the North Shore and the city of Chicago, and across Northern Illinois from the Mississippi River east to Lake Michigan and south to about Ottawa. Enter your ZIP code in the delivery checker to confirm.

Your beef comes from our family farm in Stockton, Illinois, in the northwest corner of the state, about two to two and a half hours from the Chicago area. Our cattle are processed at AJ’s Lena Maid Meats (USDA inspected) or Johnson’s Processing (Illinois state inspected), and your beef is vacuum-sealed and frozen.

Your beef is ready about 3 weeks after your processing date, which is shown above the reserve button. We book your delivery around your schedule, on the day and time that work best for you, and confirm your final balance before your beef leaves the farm.