Beef Shares
Discover the joy of beef shares! By joining beef shares, you gain access to clean, healthy, and locally raised beef that supports sustainable and clean ranching practices. Enjoy the peace of mind with knowing exactly where your food comes from while savoring the rich flavors of premium quality meat. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your dining experience and support local ranchers—get your beef share today!
Get your Beef Share Reservation
Get in touch with us today to dive into the exciting world of beef shares! We're here to answer all your questions about meat quantities, pricing, and anything else you want to know.
How do Beef Shares work?
A beef share allows you to purchase a portion (half, or whole) of a primarily grass-fed, pasture raised, with plenty of sunshine, steer directly from our Ranch. You become a co-owner of the live animal, which is then custom-processed at a state-inspected or custom-exempt facility according to your preferred cuts, and as packaged, frozen beef ready for your freezer. This traditional farm-to-table model provides high-quality, traceable beef at a better value than retail cuts while supporting local agriculture. In New York State, selling beef shares in this manner is fully legal under federal and state regulations governing custom-exempt processing, as the meat is for the personal use of the animal's owners and not offered for general retail sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Beef Share?
A beef share means you purchase a portion (half, or whole) of a live, primarily grass-fed steer directly from Range Ranch. You become a co-owner of the animal, which is then humanely slaughtered and custom-processed according to your preferences. The meat is packaged, labeled, and picked up or delivered, frozen and ready for your freezer. This farm-to-table approach gives you high-quality, traceable beef at a better overall value than buying individual cuts at the store.
How much beef will I actually receive?
Yield varies by animal size and your cutting choices, but here are typical estimates:
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Half share: ~200–260 lbs
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Whole share: ~400–520 lbs
You’ll receive a mix of steaks, roasts, ground beef, and other cuts. On average, expect about 60–70% of the hanging (carcass) weight as take-home meat. For example, a 200 lb hanging-weight half share usually yields 120–140 lbs of ready-to-freeze meat.
What is hanging weight?
Hanging weight (also called carcass weight) is the weight of the animal after it has been humanely harvested and the head, hide, feet, and internal organs have been removed. This is the weight used to calculate the price of your beef share. It is the standard industry measure taken right after slaughter, before the carcass is aged and butchered
Are Beef Shares legal?
Yes. In New York, selling beef shares is fully legal under federal and state regulations for custom-exempt processing. You purchase ownership of a live animal (or portion of one), and the meat is processed exclusively for the owners’ personal use (you, your household, and non-paying guests). The packaged meat is labeled “Not for Sale” and cannot be resold. This traditional “freezer trade” model has been used safely for generations and complies with USDA and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets rules.
How is the beef priced?
You pay a set price per pound of hanging weight plus a one-time processing fee (butchering, cutting, wrapping, and any additional fees charged by the processor). The total cost is calculated once we have the actual hanging weight after harvest. A deposit reserves your share; the balance is due after harvest.
Can I choose how my beef is cut and packaged?
Yes! You will receive a custom cut sheet to select your preferred steak thickness, roast sizes, ground beef and whether you want items like stew meat, short ribs, or bones. The butcher will follow your instructions exactly.
