Short answer: Florida farms list a quarter at about 100–115 lb of packaged beef, a half at about 200–230 lb and a whole at about 400–460 lb[3]. Larger shares usually cost less per pound. Blue Grotto, for example, goes from $16/lb for an eighth down to $15/lb for a whole[4]. Halves and wholes usually let you choose your cuts[3][7].
| Quarter | Half | Whole | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packaged beef (Pauls Ranch)[3] | 100–115 lb | 200–230 lb | 400–460 lb |
| Freezer space (UMaine)[1] | ~4 cu ft | ~8 cu ft | ~15 cu ft |
| Blue Grotto flat price[4] | $1,600 | $3,100 | $6,000 |
| Riverbend flat price[5] | $1,900 | $3,600 | $6,800 |
| Fort McCoy grass-finished (sale)[6] | $1,599 | $3,099 | $5,699 |
| Choose your cuts? | Often a set mix[7] | Usually | Yes |
Splitting a share
A quarter is often half of a half, split between two buyers. Each buyer pays their share of the animal and of processing[2]. Some farms also sell eighths of about 35–60 lb (see the directory, and filter by "eighth").
FAQ
How much meat is in a quarter cow?
Florida farms list about 94–125 lb of packaged beef for a quarter. The Pauls Cattle Ranch says 100–115 lb.
Is a half cow cheaper per pound than a quarter?
Usually. Blue Grotto Ranch, for example, lists $16/lb for an eighth down to $15/lb for a whole.
Sources
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Bulletin #1071: What To Expect When Buying A Freezer Beef (extension bulletin)
- University of Minnesota Extension, Buying animals for meat processing (extension page)
- The Pauls Cattle Ranch (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- Blue Grotto Ranch (home page price table) (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- Riverbend Cattle Company, Beef share (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- Fort McCoy Ranch, Cow shares (seen Oct 27, 2026)
- Barton Beef, FAQ (seen Oct 27, 2026)