How Buying Beef by the Share Works
A Simple, Guided Process From Pasture to Pickup — With Clear Communication Every Step of the Way.
Buying beef by the share is simple once you’ve done it once. Here’s the whole process, start to finish.
This page walks through what the process looks like from start to finish, including timing, pricing, customization, and pickup. Our goal is to make the experience straightforward and transparent, whether this is your first time buying beef by the share or something you’ve done before.
The Process at a Glance
Here’s what the process typically looks like when you buy beef by the share with us.
Step 1: Join the waitlist. Tell us you’re interested. That’s it. No commitment, no payment. It just puts you on the list so we can reach out when shares open up.
Step 2: We talk. We’ll reach out personally with what’s available now and what’s coming up. We process twice a year, in the spring and fall, and we’ll help you think through timing and share size.
Step 3: Reserve with a deposit. When you’re ready: $250 for a quarter, $500 for a half, $1,000 for a whole. Your deposit locks in your share and your price per pound, and it goes toward your final balance.
Step 4: Customize your cuts. Before processing day, you tell us how you want your beef cut and packaged: steak thickness, roast size, ground beef packs. If you’re not sure, we’ll walk you through the options. Our processor handles the rest.
Step 5: Pick up your beef. We’ll let you know when it’s ready. Pickup is near Atchison, Kansas, and local delivery is available. Just make sure your freezer space is ready first.
Pricing
Our beef is priced by the pound using hanging weight, which is the standard method for purchasing beef by the share.
To keep things simple and predictable, we offer an all-in price that includes professional processing and packaging — so the price you see reflects your total cost for the beef itself.
Because each animal is unique, final take-home amounts will vary slightly. The estimates below are intended to provide a realistic planning range rather than an exact guarantee.
$6.50 per pound of hanging weight. Processing and packaging are included, so the price you see is the whole picture. Your price is locked in the day you place your deposit.
Quarter Share
- Hanging weight: ~180–200 lbs
- Estimated take-home beef: ~130–150 lbs
- Estimated total cost: ~$1,170–$1,300
- Deposit to reserve: $250
- Freezer space needed: ~4–5 cubic feet
Best for: individuals or smaller households who want high-quality beef without committing to a large freezer or upfront quantity.
Half Share
- Hanging weight: ~360–400 lbs
- Estimated take-home beef: ~270–300 lbs
- Estimated total cost: ~$2,340–$2,600
- Deposit to reserve: $500
- Freezer space needed: ~8–10 cubic feet
Best for: families or regular beef eaters who want a balanced mix of cuts and enough volume to stock the freezer comfortably.
Whole Share
- Hanging weight: ~720–800 lbs
- Estimated take-home beef: ~540–600 lbs
- Estimated total cost: ~$4,680–$5,200
- Deposit to reserve: $1,000
- Freezer space needed: ~16–20 cubic feet
Best for: larger families or bulk buyers who want the greatest cut flexibility, and a full freezer for the year.
Timing and Pickup
We process twice a year, spring and fall. Processing takes a few weeks, and we’ll keep you posted along the way.
Pickup is near Atchison, Kansas. Local delivery is available.
Once processing is complete, we’ll contact you directly to coordinate next steps. Customers may pick up their beef directly from the processor in Atchison, Kansas, or arrange local delivery for an additional fee.
Please be sure you have adequate freezer space available prior to pickup or delivery. Freezer space estimates above are provided to help you plan ahead.
Questions We’re Asked a Lot
A balanced mix of steaks, roasts, and ground beef, all from one animal. The exact cuts depend on the choices you make on your cut sheet.
About 4–5 cubic feet for a quarter, 8–10 for a half, 16–20 for a whole.
Your deposit reserves your share and locks your price. We’ll be in touch about the final balance and timing as your processing date approaches.
That’s exactly what we’re here for. Email clarkcummingsfarms@gmail.com and we’ll talk through your household and how you cook.
You’re getting premium cuts from a single animal at one per-pound price, with no retail markup on the steaks and roasts. Most families find it stretches further than buying the same beef at the store.
Ready?
Joining doesn’t commit you to anything. It just starts the conversation.