Frequently Asked Questions for All Natural Beef

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

How much does it cost me and how can I compare the price with that of the local grocer?
Our beef is sold based on the rail weight or sometimes called “hanging weight”. This is the weight of the carcass after slaughter. We price our beef in this manner to ensure consistency for every sale and to every customer.
We estimate a price of $7.00 per pound for a whole cow and approximately $7.50 per pound for a half. Please note that this is ONLY an estimate. Actual cost per pound varies from cow-to-cow and depends on the manner in which you have it processed. For example, if you have it cut in a manner which removes all of the bones and most of the fat then your total weight will be less. Likewise, if you process it such that you retain most of the bones and fat then your total weight will be much higher. These two scenarios can make your perceived “price-per-pound” fluctuate as much as $2 per pound.
We do not compare our product to that of the grocery store. I’ve been told “I can get beef at the store for $1.59 a pound”. The truth is that there is NO retail grocer which sells the quality of beef that we provide.

Can I get the bones?
Yes the bones are available (at NO extra cost) just let us know. Some customers love using the meaty bones in soups and other dishes. Others use them as a healthy treat for their dogs or cats. Organs such as the kidneys and heart also make a healthy treat for your furry friend.

How much beef is in a whole cow?
The take home weight for a whole cow is approximately 35-40% of the live weight. For a 1200 pound animal this would be around 420-480 pounds of beef in your freezer. Divide these numbers by two for a half. I have customers who purchase two of these a year and others who only use a half per year. It depends on how big your family is and how much beef you use. Many families decide to “cow-pool” and buy a whole cow with friends or family and divide it up among themselves. This also helps keep the cost down.

Will I need a separate freezer?
Yes or at least a very large refrigerator freezer section dedicated for beef only. I prefer a frost-free stand up type freezer.

Where do I pick up my meat?
Our processor of choice is Northwest Meat Center located in Hodges, South Carolina. They will inspect, slaughter, age for 14 days, cut, vacuum seal and freeze the meat. You will pick up your meat directly from their facility. Their address and contact information is as follows:

    Northwest Meat Center
    2316 Dixie Drive
    Hodges, South Carolina, 29653
    Phone: (864) 374-3571864) 374-3571

Do I need to bring coolers for the trip home?
When you pick up your meat from Northwest Meat Center it will be vacuum sealed, frozen and boxed. If you have an hour or less travel time back home then you should not need coolers. This assumes that you are transporting your meat inside a vehicle. I have found that transporting beef in the back of a truck with the air blowing on it will thaw it out even on the coldest day.

How do I pay?
There will be three payment transactions. The first two will be payable to All Natural Beef. First we require a deposit at the time that an order is placed. The deposit is $100 for a half and $200 for a whole cow. The second payment will be at the time of slaughter.   The processor will provide us with the rail weight. For a whole cow we multiply rail weight by $3.25 and $3.40 times rail weight for a half cow. Your payment will be this amount less your original deposit. Your third payment will be made to Northwest Meat Center when you pick up your beef.

For example: You decide that you want to buy a half cow. You will pay $100 deposit at the time you place the order. After slaughter the processor informs us that we had a live weight of 1172 lbs with a rail weight of 740 lbs. Since you are buying a half I will divide 740 by 2 which is 370 and then multiply it by $3.40. This comes to $1258.00. Your second payment to us would be for $1258 minus your $100 deposit or $1158.    Northwest Meat Center charges 0.75 cents per rail weight plus $65 slaughter fee. Your third payment to the processor would be 0.75 x 370 lbs or $277.50 plus $65 for a total processing fee of $342.50.

You will have paid All Natural Beef a total of $1258 for the half cow. You will have paid Northwest Meat Center $342.50 for slaughter, aging, cutting and vacuum packaging. Your total combined cost is $1500.50 for approximately 240 pounds of beef or about $6.50 per pound.

Note that the processor does charge an additional fee for certain types of processing or packaging. This typically does not add up to more than an additional $25. Also, if you want your beef to labeled with my official meat label an additional cost of 0.25 cent per rail weight pound is added. This label is very similar to a label in the grocery store. Otherwise your labelling will be hand written.

We accept cash or check.

When will my beef be ready for pickup?
The beef is usually ready for pickup 3-4 weeks after slaughter. The processor will notify you via phone or email.

How do I place an order?
Call Craig Caughman at (803) 924-2252 or email to allnaturalbeef@gmail.com.
You will need to provide us with the following information:

    Name, Address, Telephone
    The amount you wish to purchase (half or whole)
    We require a deposit at this time ($100 for half / $200 for whole).
    You will need to complete a processor sheet at this time.