Here’s how it works, so you have an idea of what the total expenses are:
As an estimate…. Every animal is different not just by original weight, but the individual weight of each one’s organs, fat, muscle, bones, etc. Therefore, we can only offer an estimate.
Our fee is $2.00 per pound on the hoof. So, for an example: Let’s price out a steer that weighs 1500 pounds. Our fee would be $3000
How much would our payment to the processor be?
$100 dispatching fee, then 85 cents per pound of hanging weight. Hanging weight is basically the weight after field-dressing. You can choose a processor yourself, or we will recommend one. The fee of our most-used processing company is 85 cents per pound of hanging weight.
Example:
WHOLE steer weighing 1500 pounds is about 900 pounds of hanging weight. 900 X 85 cents= $765
Refuge Rock Ranch fee for whole steer = $3000
Butcher’s fee = $765 + 100 = $865.
Totals on a 1500-pound steer:
Paid to Refuge Rock Ranch………………$3000
Pay to Butcher…………………………………………$865
Total…………………………………………………………….$3865
How much meat do I end up with for a whole steer? About 525 to 600 pounds processed and wrapped and ready for the freezer. Industry standard is an estimate of 35% to 40% of live weight.
$3865 expense divided by 525 to 600 pounds of meat = $6.44 to $7.36 per pound.
We also offer orders of ¼ or ½….so divide the total accordingly to determine the final expense.
On the above example of a 1500-pound steer:
¼ order = $966.25 total expense for 150 pounds of meat = $6.44 per pound
½ order = $1932.50 total expense for 300 pounds of meat = $6.44 per pound