Buying Beef in Bulk in Des Moines, Iowa: A Complete Pricing Breakdown
If you’ve already read our Complete Guide to Buying Beef in Bulk in Des Moines, Iowa, you know why buying beef directly from the farmer is one of the smartest food decisions you can make. In this guide, we’re going one level deeper — breaking down exact pricing for buying a quarter beef, half beef, or whole beef through Maxwell Custom Beef.
This is the most common question we get:
“How much does it actually cost to buy a cow?”
The honest answer: it depends on weight. But below, we’ll give you clear, realistic averages so you can budget with confidence.
How Beef Is Priced When You Buy a Cow
When buying beef in bulk, pricing is based on hanging weight, not the live weight you see on the hoof.
Live Weight: 1200-1500 lbs (varies by animal)
Average Hanging Weight Used Below: 800 lbs
Hanging weight is the weight of the animal after harvest, before it’s cut into steaks, roasts, and ground beef.
Your total cost is made up of two parts:
The Beef (paid to the farmer)
Processing Costs (slaughter, cutting, wrapping, and rendering)
This transparent pricing model is one of the biggest advantages of buying beef direct.
Quarter Beef Pricing Breakdown (¼ Cow)
A quarter beef is a great entry point for families with limited freezer space who still want premium, locally raised beef.
Average Quarter Cow Details
Hanging Weight: ~200 lbs
Freezer Space Needed: ~4–5 cubic feet
Quarter Cow Cost Breakdown
Beef Cost: $800
Processing: $260
Slaughter: $30
Rendering: $10
Total Estimated Cost for a Quarter Cow:
➡️ $1,100 all-in
This typically yields approximately 110–130 lbs of take-home beef, depending on cutting preferences.
Half Beef Pricing Breakdown (½ Cow)
Buying a half Beef is the most popular option for families who eat beef regularly and want the best value per pound.
Average Half Cow Details
Hanging Weight: ~400 lbs
Freezer Space Needed: ~8–10 cubic feet
Half Cow Cost Breakdown
Beef Cost: $1,600
Processing: $500
Slaughter: $60
Rendering: $15
Total Estimated Cost for a Half Cow:
➡️ $2,175 all-in
You can expect approximately 220–260 lbs of packaged beef, including steaks, roasts, and ground beef.
Whole Beef Pricing Breakdown (Whole Cow)
Buying a whole cow offers the lowest cost per pound and full control over how every cut is processed.
This option is ideal for large families, multiple households splitting beef, or customers who want maximum freezer efficiency.
Average Whole Cow Details
Hanging Weight: ~800 lbs
Freezer Space Needed: ~16–20 cubic feet
Whole Cow Cost Breakdown
Beef Cost: $3,200
Processing: $1,000
Slaughter: $120
Rendering: $30
Total Estimated Cost for a Whole Cow:
➡️ $4,350 all-in
This typically yields 440–520 lbs of take-home beef.
Why Prices Fluctuate When Buying a Cow
Every animal is different. Even with trusted local producers, weights naturally vary.
Factors that impact final pricing include:
Finished weight (700–950 lbs hot hang weight)
Breed and genetics
Producer Price Points
Cutting instructions (single wrap steaks, upgrade items, etc.)
At Maxwell Custom Beef, we focus on realistic averages, not bait-and-switch pricing.
Cost Per Pound Compared to Grocery Store Beef
When customers do the math, the value becomes clear.
Even with premium steaks included:
Quarter Cow: Comparable to grocery store prices
Half Cow: Below retail pricing
Whole Cow: Significantly cheaper per pound
And that’s before factoring in:
No middlemen
No mass processing
No commodity beef blending
You’re buying single-source beef, raised by Iowa farmers and processed locally.
Why Buying a beef in Des Moines, Iowa Makes Sense
Buying beef in bulk reconnects you with your food and your farmer.
With Maxwell Custom Beef, you get:
Direct-from-farm beef
Transparent pricing
Custom cutting instructions
Local processing
Beef raised the way it was meant to be
Less steps in the process means one step closer to real food.
Ready to Buy a Quarter, Half, or Whole Beef?
If you’re ready to buy beef in bulk in Des Moines or anywhere in Central Iowa, we’re here to walk you through every step.
👉 Contact Maxwell Custom Beef to reserve your quarter, half, or whole cow and lock in your beef today.
Availability is limited and based on harvest schedule.
