You have probably noticed that beef prices are at an all-time high. Really, everything is high right now. However, with beef, there are a number of reasons that all came together to push prices up to record highs. An extended drought has led to shrinking herd sizes in our state while demand continues to soar…thus higher prices.

You may have considered buying half a cow and wondered if it might be a good solution for your family. Do you actually save money? I’d like to break that down for you and make the decision an easy one for you.

In most cases, buying a half cow directly from a rancher will save you money. This is true especially if you have a farmer/rancher that will help you make the most of your custom cut sheets and spend the time to help you. But for me, the biggest value is knowing exactly where your food is coming from and trusting the people that are raising it.

What does a half cow cost in Texas?

There are multiple ways to calculate this but most will include a cost per pound on the “hanging weight” and the processing fees. What is hanging weight? That’s the weight of the carcass after the organs, head, skin, and blood is removed. (I know…stay with me) Our cattle typically weigh 1400-1500 lbs on the hoof at harvest. They hang right around 1000 lbs, just to give you an idea. We charge $4.50/lb based on the hanging weight and then the customer pays the processing fees. Some ranches may charge a flat fee of $5.50 or $6 per lb and include the processing but it ends about the same either way.

What can you expect?

Total cost with processing: $2800-3000 depending on weight

Total lbs of beef: 250 -300 lbs

Freezer space: 10-12 square feet (about a small chest freezer)

Cost per lb: $10.00-$11.00

This may seem high but remember that it includes ground beef, steaks, roasts, brisket, and more. Here is a breakdown of what this same beef would cost in the grocery store right now (Spring/summer 2026)

HEB -Costs

Does it Makes Sense?

Well, there are definitely cost savings if you cook at home and eat beef regularly. However, if you don’t cook a lot or you are only interested in steak or very specific cuts, then it really doesn’t make sense to stock up at this level!

The Evridge Farms Difference

There is also a really significant difference in quality and care when you buy your half cow from us. All of our cattle are Angus/Akaushi crossed to maximize marbling and flavor. They are born here and raised by us on our ranch in West Texas. We have our hands in every single aspect of raising and finishing them. They spend their lives on pastures and are finished with a hay/grain ration that is grown by us our sourced from our neighbors. It is completely local and hands on. We will never use antibiotics or hormones in our feed. Even after harvest, we don’t take shortcuts. We let our beef age and take time to maximize quality. The taste and quality difference of our beef stands on its own. Grocery stores just cannot even compare.

In our experience, half a cow lasts families about a year. We know that because they come calling again. Almost everyone repeats their order so once filled that space may be hard to open again. Buying a half cow from us means that you are feeding your family food you can trust.

On our website, you can choose the month you’d like your beef to be ready for pickup and make a deposit to secure your slot. At that point, we will reach out to you to guide you through selecting your cuts and delivery.