Purchase Beef by the Half
Fill Your Freezer. Customize Your Cuts. Know Your Farmer.
Purchasing a half beef is the most economical way to stock your freezer with locally raised, grain-finished beef while enjoying the flexibility to customize how your beef is processed.
Every half beef is raised on our family farm, USDA processed, and vacuum sealed for long-lasting freshness.
Why Buy a Half?
• Lowest cost per pound available
• Custom cutting instructions
• Stock your freezer for months
• Know exactly where your beef comes from
• Support a local family farm
Customize Your Beef
Work directly with the processor to select:
• Steak thickness
• Roast sizes
• Ground beef package size
• Bone-in or boneless options
• Specialty cuts and organ meats
Need help deciding? We're happy to walk you through the cut sheet process.
Freezer Space Requirements
A typical half beef requires approximately:
• 8–10 cubic feet of freezer space
Most customers find a standard chest freezer is sufficient for a half beef.
What Is Hanging Weight?
Hanging weight is the weight of the carcass after harvest and before aging and processing.
Your take-home beef will weigh less than the hanging weight because bones, excess fat, and moisture are removed during processing.
Typical packaged beef yield approximately 60% of hanging weight depending on your cutting instructions.
Example:
800 lb Hanging Weight (full steer)
• Hanging Weight of Half Beef: 400 lb
• Estimated Take-Home Beef: 220-240 lb
• Processing Fees Paid Directly to Butcher
Actual yields vary based on bone-in versus boneless cuts, trim preferences, and grinding decisions.
Pricing
$6.19 per pound based on hanging weight.
Processing fees are paid directly to the butcher.
Your final cost will be determined once hanging weight is received after harvest.
Reservation Policy
A $750 reservation deposit is required to reserve your half.
Your deposit:
• Applies toward your final balance
• Is fully refundable until 30 days prior to processing
• Becomes non-refundable within 30 days of harvest due to feed, scheduling, and inventory commitments
Reserve Your Half
Butcher dates are limited and often reserve months in advance.
Contact us to discuss upcoming availability, expected harvest dates, and current reservations.
Tyler Balas
Tyler@balasandco.com
302-236-7654
www.balasfamilyfarms.com