Ordering Quarters, Halves, & Whole Beef
When we take your order for a quarter/half or whole beef, we will give you a date when it will go to Key Packing in Robbins, NC. When the steer goes to the processor we will call you to get your instructions for how you want your beef cut. The beef will then dry-age in a climate controlled cooler for 7-10 days before being cut. The reason it is dry aged, is that dry-aging helps tenderize the meat. Cutting, packaging and freezing takes another 2-3 days, so your order will be ready for pickup about two weeks after the delivery date. You will pick up the meat at the processor, and at that time, you will pay Key Packing for your processing fee.
ordering a quarter
If you ordered a quarter, what you will receive is commonly called a “split half.” Because, the cuts of meat in the front half differs dramatically from the back half, we evenly divide the cuts between the two to make it a fair offering. This will somewhat limit how you can have your beef cut, as it is a compromise with the other customer, who will be sharing the half. Again, this applies only to quarter orders. If you ordered a half or whole beef, you won’t have to split the cuts.
Our guarante
If you are not satisfied with the quality of the beef you ordered from us, we will buy it back from you.
What will your beef cost?
The cost is $5.50/lb times the hanging weight. This does not include processing, which runs ~$0.65 per pound. The hanging weight is the weight of the carcass, before it is processed into individual cuts. Your take home weight of meat will be about 25%-35% less depending on how you have the meat cut.
Average hanging weights
Quarter
~150 lbs x $5.50/lb = approximately $825 for the meat, and about $123 for the processing.
Half
~300lbs x $5.50/lb less 5% discount. = approximately $1569 for the meat, and about $235 for the processing.
Whole
~600 lbs x $5.50/lb less 10% discount = approximately $2970 for the meat, and about $470 for the processing.
What you will receive with your order
You can choose your own cuts of beef. We highly recommend you choose to have some standard cuts turned into ground beef, such as the brisket or short ribs. Riley’s Ranch hamburger is the best you have ever tasted when extra portions are turned into hamburger!
Following are approximate amounts of beef you can expect by ¼, ½ or whole beef orders and freezer space needed:
Individual Cut
Quarter/split half
Half Beef Whole Beef
Chuck/Arm Roast 10 lbs 20 lbs 40 lbs
Rolled Rump Roast 3 lbs 5 lbs 10 lbs
Sirloin Tip Roast 3 lbs 5 lbs 10 lbs
Round Steak, or Stew Meat 3 lbs 6 lbs 12 lbs
NY Strip Steak 2.5 lbs 5 lbs 10 lbs
Sirloin Steak 2 lbs 4 lbs 8 lbs
Tenderloin Filets 1.5 lbs 3 lbs 6 lbs
Flank Steak .5 lbs 1 lbs 2 lbs
Skirt Steak or Fajita Meat 2 lbs 4 lbs 8 lbs
Flat Iron Steak 1.1 lbs 2.2 lbs 4.5 lbs
Tri-tip Steak 1 lbs 2 lbs 4 lbs
Brisket 2 lbs 4 lbs 8 lbs
Short Ribs 2 lbs 4 lbs 8 lbs
Soup bones with meat 4 lbs 8 lbs 16 lbs
Liver 1 lb 2 lbs 4 lbs
Bones for Bone Broth 10 lbs 20 lbs 40 lbs
Ground Beef 45 lbs 90 lbs 180 lbs
Total amount of beef: QUARTER: ~84 lbs, HALF: ~168 lbs, WHOLE: ~336 lbs
Approximate Freezer space needed: 4 cubic feet for QUARTER, 7 cubic feet for HALF, 14 cubic feet for WHOLE