The cost of half a cow varies depending on factors such as whether the cow is pasture-raised, grass-fed, organic, and the region. Generally, prices range between about $1,500 and $3,000 for half a cow.
- Pasture-raised half cows typically cost between $2,000 and $3,000
- Including purchase and processing fees, half a cow usually costs between $1,500 and $2,500
- Some places charge around $10 per pound of hanging weight, with an average half cow hanging weight around 180-400 lbs, leading to a total price roughly between $1,800 and $4,000 depending on weight and quality
- For example, a half cow with a 375 lb hanging weight at $5.75/lb costs about $2,156 including processing, with a take-home yield of 200-225 lbs
- Butcher fees and packaging can add several hundred dollars, so total costs often include these additional charges
In summary, you can expect to pay roughly $1,500 to $3,000 for half a cow, with prices around $5 to $10 per pound of hanging weight depending on quality and location, plus processing fees. This usually results in about 200-300 pounds of packaged meat to take home
