FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS “HANGING WEIGHT” AND WHY IS THE PRICE PER POUND BASED OFF OF IT?

The hanging weight is the weight of the animal after it is dressed. Dressed means it has had all the unwanted parts removed such as skin, organs, hooves, blood, etc. 

The hanging weight is used to determine the price per pound because this is the final stage of the beef in its original form BEFORE it is processed to your preferences. Your preferences being: what cuts you choose and how thick you cut them and if you want to keep the bones and suet/fat. Each of these decisions affects the final weight of your box. Each customer’s box will be unique to them. Therefore all pricing is based off of the hanging weight prior to final processing. 

HOW MANY POUNDS OF BEEF WILL I GET IN MY QUARTER?

There are many variables to factor in when trying to determine how many pounds of beef you will get in the end. Here is a breakdown to help you better understand what makes up a quarter Beef.**

**All the following amounts are general estimates. Each order will process differently based on variables in animal size and how YOU choose to have your Beef processed. 

These numbers are NOT guaranteed. 

Your average grass fed bovine (we have both male (steers) and females (heifers) out in the field), will loose approx. 46% of its weight in the first processing from “live weight” to “hanging weight”. That amounts to skin, inedible organs and other unwanted parts. 

Then, from hanging weight to your processed box of beef (depending on how you choose to have it cut up) it will lose another approx. 28% in weight. This is due to you choosing such things as bone in or bone out, specific cuts or thicknesses, AND if you keep organs, soup bones, and suet/fat. 

For example:

A 1,200lb animal, once dressed, will have a hanging weight of 648lbs. When processed and packaged, there will be 466lbs of beef. If you break that into quarters, a quarter will weigh approximately 116lbs. 

1,200lb live -> 648lb hanging -> 466lb packaged Beef. 

466 / 4 = 116

116lbs of packaged beef in a quarter. **

HOW MUCH WILL A QUARTER BEEF COST? 

There are several variables that can affect the final total cost of a quarter Beef. Here is a breakdown of how the cost is determined. **

**All of the following amounts are general estimates and not guaranteed. Each order will process differently based on variables in animal size and how you choose to have your Beef processed. 

**The beef prices here are current for the cattle selling in 2023. 

**The  processing and packaging costs are subject to change by the processor. 

ALL PRICING IS BASED OFF OF HANGING WEIGHT.   

THE CUSTOMER PAYS FOR THE PROCESSING AND PACKAGING FEES. 

Your box of beef, cut to your preferences, will have its own cost depending on the choices you make. Processing is charged by price per pound, the bigger the beef (1/4, 1/2, or whole) the larger the total will be for processing. Any special requests/cuts will cost extra. You also pay for  the packaging materials, which can vary depending on your how you choose to have it packaged. Such as choosing to have your burger packaged in 1lb, 2lb, or 5lb packages, OR whether you want 2 or 4 steaks per package. 

For example, the hanging weight of a 1/4 Beef is 162 lbs

162lbs x $4.75/lb = $769.50 paid to Lindgren Family Farm

162lbs x .64/lb = $103.68 to the processor for packaging 

                          $27.50 to the processor for processing 

TOTAL cost of $900.68 for a quarter of processed and packaged beef. 

162lbs - 28% (amount lost to processing and packaging) = 116.64 lbs total of packaged beef

Your total of $900.68 divided by the 116.64lbs total of packaged beef equals a cost of $7.72/lb for your quarter. 

Filet Mignon to suet, you’re paying just $7.72/lb

HOW MUCH FREEZER SPACE DO I NEED?

The approximate space needed for a quarter Beef is 5 cubic feet. 

WHY DOES IT SAY CLUCKIN’ A RANCH ON YOUR FARM SIGN?

Well, we’ve been selling our eggs under the Cluckin’ A Ranch name for many years now. It started as a fun little hobby, that has turned into its own thriving little business. When we started selling beef under the Lindgren Family Farm name, we just couldn’t bear to part with our cheeky old sign and decided to keep it and the logo on the egg cartons. Lindgren Family Farm and Cluckin’ A Ranch are one in the same. All the same values and care for our animals and environment.