Sides of Beef & Pork

When purchasing a side of beef or pork there are 3 different weights that are used to determine the cost of the beef and pork. They are the Live weight, Hanging weight and the Take-Home weight.

Live Weight

The weight of the animal on the hoof when it is still alive. Our live weight animals average around 1,000 lbs for beef and 220 lbs for pork.

Hanging Weight

The weight of the animal after slaughter, and after removal of blood, head, hide, hooves and viscera. In comparison to the live weight, it is about 60% for beef, and 70% for pork. Per pound cost is based on this weight. This weight is also used to determine cut/wrap cost from the butcher.

Live weight of 1000 lb., yields approximately 600 lbs. hanging weight for beef.
Live weight of 250 lb., yields approximately 175 lbs. hanging weight for pork.

Take-Home Weight

 The weight of the meat taken home from the butcher. The final weight is determined by the water loss during the 14 day curing process for beef, along with fat removal, cut type and amount of bones in the meat. Upon completion this weight is approximately 65% of the hanging weight for beef and 70% for pork.

Hanging weight of 600 lbs. yields approximately 390 lbs. take home weight for a whole beef.
Hanging weight of 175 lbs, yields approximately 120 lbs. take home weight for a whole pig.
For beef, the overall cost per pound when processing is factored in will average around $9/lb. for all of the cuts such as burger, steaks, roasts, etc.  The pork average cost will be closer to $8.50/lb. when processing is factored into the cost.

Deposit

 Upon submitting a deposit, you are added to the reservation list. You can send a deposit to Rocky Oak Farms via: 
  •   Check to Rocky Oak Farms (6850 Hoag rd., Albion, MI 49224)
  •  Venmo @Rebecca-Heim-24
  • Paypal to [email protected], sent as a friend.
​Please include your contact information and what it is you are putting a deposit in for. As the butchering date approaches you will be contacted with the exact date we ship to market, along with contact information for the butcher. Following the processing day, you will need to reach out to the butcher and complete your order with the cuts that you desire. Available below are diagrams and order sheets from the butcher to help you determine your cuts. If you are unfamiliar with the process, we or the butcher are more than happy to walk you through the process.

After processing, you will be contacted with instructions for pickup. If you are local, we ask you meet us at Rocky Oak Farms the same day we pick up from the butcher. For those of you not in our local area we are willing to meet you in the Chelsea/Ann Arbor areas or even the Lansing area as we do regular meet up's in those areas. We typically don't have enough freezer space to hold extra sides for you so when we pickup from the processer we need to get your order to you that same day. Please contact us to determine how we can accommodate you.

Website for the processor we use:
Pease Packing
Beef Sides Cut Order Form
bcm_2022-beef-processing-guide.pdf
File Size: 250 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Pork Sides Cut Order Form
bcm_2023-pork-processing-guide.pdf
File Size: 513 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Beef

Cattle are available by the quarter, half or whole animal or by individual cuts. A typical quarter will weigh about 180 lbs hanging weight. We do require a $100 deposit per quarter. This is non-refundable, but is factored into the total cost.

We are currently priced at $5.00/lb. hanging weight plus processing. A quarter of beef will cost approximately $1,000 total with processing and yield about 105 lbs. of meat depending how you choose to have it cut.

Each cut is vacuum sealed with a label on the package containing the cut name & weight, your name and our farm, Rocky Oak Farms.

Pork 

 Pigs are available by the half or whole. A typical half a pig will weigh in around 85 lbs hanging weight. We do require a $100 deposit per half. This is non-refundable, but is factored into the total cost.

We are currently priced at $3.75/lb hanging weight plus processing. A half a pig will cost approximately $480 total with processing and yield about 65 lbs of meat.

Each cut is vacuum sealed with a label on the package containing the cut name & weight, your name and our farm, Rocky Oak Farms.
Place an Order
Individual Cuts Price List - Direct from the Farm
To place individual cut orders please just email us at [email protected] or call us at 517-490-3902 or facebook message us and let us know what you would like to order. We accept cash, check, Venmo to @Rebecca-Heim-24 or Paypal to [email protected], sent as a friend for payments. We do bi-weekly meet up's in the Jackson, Chelsea and Ann Arbor area's, please sign up for a newsletter to stay up to date on those dates and times. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. If you have special request please send them to us to see if we can fill them.

For a list of individual cuts and pricing please see our Cuts and Pricing page. ​http://www.rockyoakfarms.com/cuts--pricing.html