Whole Pigs and Half Cows
For fall of 2022, we are offering two half steers and a limited number of whole hogs
Why Buy So Much Meat???
Get it cut the way you want (thick cut steaks, skin on pork cuts, uncured pork belly, etc)
Have it handy in your own freezer
The volume purchase discount is roughly 10-12% off on farm, retail prices.
How Much Does it cost?
The price of a half cow or whole hog is composed of two parts: what you pay us (the farmers) and what you pay the processor (butchering costs). We charge $4.75/lb hanging weight for steers and $4.60/lb hanging weight for pigs. Butcher fees will depend on how you get your meat processed (curing things like bacon or jerky adds cost, as does grinding and stuffing sausages). We generally expect to pay about $400 per side of beef in butcher costs or about $400 per hog in butcher costs.
What is this "hanging WEight"?
Hanging weight is the weight of an animal post-slaughter. This includes bones, but does not include organs. Additionally, if you choose boneless cuts, you will lose additional weight between hanging and final packaging. For the purposes of rough estimation, a 1,000 pound steer will have a hanging weight of about 600 pounds, and will yield about about 360 pounds of cuts. So for a half steer, you could expect to get 180-200 pounds of beef from one side of a steer.
In the case of a pig the math looks roughly like this: Live weight: 250-300 pounds. Hanging weight 180-200 pounds. Take home meat between 140 and 150 pounds, depending on how you have it processed.
When do I need to place my order?
We are sending steers on October 12.
We are sending pigs on October 5th and 19th.
If you would like to reserve a half steer or whole hog, we need you to confirm availability (shoot us an email) and pay a $200 deposit (steers) or $100 (pigs). This will count toward your total bill.
I Don't know about animal butchery--can you help me?
We are happy to offer our advice about how to get your animal processed, and our butcher, Stoneypoint Farm in Littlestown, PA is also very good at working with customers to ensure that they are informed and advised about their choices.
Can I order a Quarter Steer or a half hog?
No, but in the past we have had customers share a whole hog between two families, and the same scenario would certainly work with a half steer. Just be sure that you have similar desires in terms of how you want your meat cut!
I Want in! Now what?
Let us know by email or phone! openbookfarm@gmail.com or 240-457-2558. We will follow up and make sure that any other questions you have are addressed.