Here’s a practical look at what happens when you buy a whole cow — using one of our Brick Church Meats & More animals as the example. Understanding this breakdown helps you plan your freezer space and value the farm-to-table journey.
Live Weight
1,100 lbs
The total weight of the live cow before processing.
Hanging Weight
720 lbs
About 65% of the live weight. This is the weight after the hide, head, hooves, and internal organs are removed.
Packaged Meat Weight
439.19 lbs
Roughly 61% of the hanging weight — or 40% of the live weight. This is the meat you take home: steaks, roasts, ground beef, and more.
Why the Weight Drops
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Processing Loss
Fat, bone, and trimmings are discarded during cutting. -
Moisture Loss
Beef is often aged to improve flavor, reducing water weight. -
Custom Cuts
Your choices (bone-in vs. boneless, fat trimmed, etc.) affect the final yield.
Quick Math Recap
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1,100 lbs × 0.65 = 720 lbs (Hanging Weight)
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720 lbs × 0.61 = 439.19 lbs (Packaged Meat)
About 40% of the live weight becomes take-home beef
Why It Pays to Buy Local Beef
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Better Flavor & Freshness — You know exactly where it came from.
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Custom Processing — Choose how your meat is cut and packaged.
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Support Local Farms — Your purchase strengthens the community.
Have Questions?
Message us anytime to learn more about purchasing beef directly from the farm. We’re here to help you fill your freezer with quality, farm-raised meat.