Short answer: A cut sheet is your instructions to the processor. For each part of the carcass (primal), it says whether you want steaks, roasts or ground beef, how thick to cut the steaks, how big the roasts should be, how much goes in each package, and whether cuts are bone-in or boneless[1]. Many Florida farms let you customize a half or whole but give quarters a set mix[6][7][8].
The parts of the carcass you'll see on the sheet
The carcass is split in half and broken into primals. The front quarter has the chuck, rib, brisket, plate and shank. The hind quarter has the loin, flank and round[3]. Each primal can go to steaks, roasts or grind.
Decisions you'll make[1]
- Steak thickness, for example ribeye and strip at 1 inch or 1¼ inches
- Bone-in or boneless (T-bone/porterhouse vs. strip and filet; bone-in vs. boneless ribeye)
- Roast size (2–3 lb vs. 3–4 lb) and which primals become roasts and which get ground
- Ground beef: package size (1 lb or 2 lb), and whether some becomes patties. Processors may charge extra for specialty products[1].
- Extras: stew meat, short ribs, soup bones, organ meats. Some items, like the tongue and heart, come only one per animal. Price Creek Farm gives them out first-come, first-served on halves[4].
What mix to expect
Price Creek Farm says a typical breakdown is about 20% steaks, 30% roasts and 50% hamburger[4]. E&C Cattle Ranch says roughly 25% steaks, 25% roasts and 50% ground[5]. Choosing more boneless cuts or leaner ground beef lowers the take-home weight[3].
Quarter vs. half: who gets to choose?
- Barton Beef: quarters come with a set mix; choose a half to pick everything[6].
- The Pauls Cattle Ranch: only half and whole orders can choose cuts[7].
- Make It Happen Ranch: a half share or more can be cut any way you like[8].
Want a template? NC State's Center for Environmental Farming Systems publishes a sample beef cut sheet[2]. Your processor's own sheet is the one that counts.
FAQ
What is a cut sheet for beef?
It is the form that tells the processor how to cut and package your share: steaks vs. roasts vs. ground, steak thickness, roast size, package size, and bone-in or boneless.
Can I choose my cuts on a quarter cow?
Often not. Barton Beef and The Pauls Cattle Ranch give quarters a set mix and let half and whole buyers customize.
What percentage of a beef share is ground beef?
Florida farms describe about 50% ground beef, for example Price Creek Farm (20% steaks, 30% roasts, 50% hamburger).
Sources
- University of Missouri Extension, Buying Meat Direct From the Farm (MX3001) (extension PDF)
- NC State CEFS, Sample Cut Sheets: Beef (sample cut sheet)
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef, How Many Pounds of Meat Can We Expect From A Beef Animal? (extension article, 2020)
- Price Creek Farm, Freezer Meat (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- E&C Cattle Ranch (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- Barton Beef, FAQ (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- The Pauls Cattle Ranch (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- Make It Happen Ranch (seen Oct 27, 2026)