Buying a Beef Share: Whole, Half, or Quarter?
Buying a grass-fed, grass-finished beef share is one of the smartest ways to fill your freezer with high-quality beef while supporting a local farm you trust. If you’ve been curious about how it works or which option makes the most sense for your family, this guide will walk you through it.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Beef Share?
- How the Process Works: From Farm to Freezer
- Whole vs. Half vs. Quarter: What’s in Each Share?
- Why the Half Share Is Our Most Popular Option
- How Much Freezer Space You’ll Need
- Is a Beef Share Worth it?
- Why We Love Beef Shares at Clover Farms
What is a Beef Share?
A grass-fed, grass-finished beef share means you are purchasing a portion of a whole animal rather than individual cuts one package at a time. Instead of shopping steak by steak, you receive a variety of cuts all at once, including premium steaks, roasts, ground beef, and more.
It’s a return to the traditional way families sourced meat for generations. You stock up, eat seasonally, and know exactly where your beef comes from.
How the Process Works: From Farm to Freezer
When you reserve a beef share, you are securing your portion of a 100 percent grass-fed, grass-finished animal raised right here on pasture. Once processed, your share is cut, vacuum-sealed, clearly labeled, and immediately frozen to ensure freshness for your freezer.
The process generally takes 30-45 days from the time you order to the time we ship. We’ll communicate timing, pickup details, and what to expect every step of the way. It’s simple, transparent, and worth the planning.
Whole vs. Half vs. Quarter: What's in Each Share?
The biggest difference between share sizes is quantity, freezer space, and overall savings per pound.
Below is a simple comparison table. Please note, the number and size of cuts can vary from bundle to bundle as no two cows are exactly alike.
| Cut / Item | Whole | Half | Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ribeye Steaks | 20 | 10 | 5 |
| New York Strip Steaks | 20 | 10 | 5 |
| Filet Mignon Steaks | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Top Sirloin Steaks (Baseball Cut) | 16 | 8 | 4 |
| Outside Skirt Steaks | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Flat Iron Steaks | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Flank Steaks | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Fajita Skirt Steaks | 12 | 6 | 3 |
| Stew Meat | 24 | 12 | 6 |
| Chuck Roast Boneless | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Top Round | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Coulotte | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tri-Tip Roast | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Eye of Round | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Rump Roast | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Short Ribs Bone-In | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brisket Deckle Off | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Ground Beef (80/20) | 300 | 150 | 75 |
Why the Half Share is Our Most Popular Option
If you’re unsure which route to take, the half share is the sweet spot for most families. It offers a strong balance of variety, value, and manageable freezer space. You get a generous selection of premium steaks and roasts, plenty of ground beef for everyday meals, and a better price per pound compared to buying individual cuts.
For many households, a half share provides months of high-quality beef without overwhelming your freezer. It’s the option we recommend most often because it makes the biggest impact without requiring the commitment of a whole animal.
How Much Freezer Space Will You Need
Freezer space is one of the most common questions we get.
As a general guideline:
- Whole share: typically requires a dedicated chest freezer. Approximately 490lbs and need about 13 cubic feet of freezer space to store.
- Half share: Approximately 245 lbs. & 6.5 cubic feet of freezer space is needed for this beef share.
- Quarter share: can often fit in the freezer section of a refrigerator plus a small chest freezer. Approximately 110 lbs. & 3 cubic feet of freezer space is needed for this beef share.
Planning ahead ensures your beef is stored properly and stays organized.
Is a Beef Share Worth It?
For families who value clean, grass-fed beef and want to simplify grocery shopping, the answer is usually yes. You lock in your supply of grass-fed, grass-finished beef, reduce store trips, and enjoy better value per pound. Most importantly, you know exactly how your food was raised.
If you’ve been thinking about filling your freezer, now is a great time to reserve your share. And if you’re new to the process, start with the half share. It’s our most popular option for a reason.
Why We Love Beef Shares at Clover Farms
Beef shares aren’t just a bulk purchase. They’re a partnership. Your investment supports regenerative practices that build healthy soil, raise animals the right way, and strengthen our land for the long haul.
When you purchase a whole, half, or quarter share, you help us honor the entire animal, reduce waste, and keep pricing sustainable for families who care about real food.