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Post by Olga on Aug 28, 2011 22:47:54 GMT -5
Last year we had a Charolet X steer for the fair. We bough him for $600 at 6 months old. We then offered shares of him, at cost, to family. Brother bought 1/2 (for $300) and in-laws 1/4 (for $150). We then fed the steer from January till September, heavy graining June-September. Everybody paid their own processing fees accordingly.
This year we bought a Hereford for $900. We're feeding him November till September, heavy graining July-September.
I dreaded the talk about price of meat. I have looked up prices around here and there is nothing cheaper than $2.05 per pound hanging weight + processing fees. That's pretty much "at cost". I started to say that I'd be willing to give a family discount, say 10% - but didn't get a chance. "Well, if you want to sell it at a profit, you go ahead..." What?! I'm not trying to sell it at a profit! "Well, if you want to recoup some costs, I understand. If it doesn't work out - give me a call".
No problem. I'll advertise it for $3.00 per pound of hanging weight (processing included). Even here I should be able to sell at that price. And somebody will get some delicious beef, too!
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Post by Star Creek Dexters on Aug 29, 2011 6:46:39 GMT -5
People just do not understand what it takes to put that meat on their table. It's never fun when your own family doesn't understand.  I get it with cow shares all the time. People just don't understand how much it cost totruly take care of a cow until they do it themselves. |
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Post by kansasdexters on Aug 29, 2011 7:06:50 GMT -5
Olga,
We sell beef wholesale (to a natural foods store) and retail. We charge our family the same price as we charge our retail customers, unless they buy a whole steer (like our wholesale customer does) and then they get the wholesale price. Our wholesale price this year is $3.85 per lb hanging weight for a whole steer, processing and delivery included. Sides and split sides are priced at $4.25 per lb (because its a lot more work for me to make three or four deliveries compared to a single delivery and I want to be paid for my time).
We sell out of Dexter beef every single year. If our family wants the beef, they have to reserve it, just like everyone else does. It wouldn't be fair for them to expect us to say "no thanks" to our regular customers, in order to supply them at a discount price!! They get the same good service and the same good beef, so they pay the same price.
Patti
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Post by Olga on Aug 29, 2011 7:44:44 GMT -5
So what's sad is that last year we didn't ask anyone to share the cost of growing the steer. All they paid is the initial share price and then processing fee on a 1/2 and on a 1/4. Our steer was 1200+ lb. when we took him in and that makes: a hanging half at 366 lb for around $1.30 per pound total cost, processing included. So, obviously, I'm taking advantage of them this year...
I shouldn't have spoiled them with that deal...
Thank you guys for listening to my rant and for your support. By the way, read an article last night that predicted beef prices unreasonably high next year. Farmers are selling all they can right now and will not have as much beef to sell next year. Also, the carcass weight is down because of drought and because feedlots are cutting amount of corn they put into the steers. Come spring replacement heifers will bring a premium too.
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Post by wanette on Aug 29, 2011 10:00:35 GMT -5
Olga, so sorry you had to experience the "I'm entitled" syndrom, as I call it. Our son is upset with me because I'm needing to use all our pasture for the cattle and I'm too close to his deer stand, not that he has ever shared any meat with us even tho he got 4 last year but expects his share of beef when we butcher.
The discussion of future beef prices is hot around here because so many of the old long time ranchers have sold their herds and there is no one taking their place. one more reason to grow your own if you can.
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Post by rezzfullacres on Aug 29, 2011 11:59:01 GMT -5
That is almost always a problem when "selling" to family, they just do not realize the cost of raising the animal, this also includes time, labor in addition to the animal itself and all that goes with it. We "gift" some meat to our family but other than that they are treated just like any other customer... Some get mad but they get over it when they have to go back to eating the cardboard like substance they sell for meat in the grocery store. About 10 years ago I had worked up a cost sheet and when I was questioned I just produced that and it answered all of the questions asked. No problems any more..It included cow & equipment depreciation, fertilizer, fuel, hay string, labor, tractor time etc etc.. It is a real eye opener even for the producer... I wish I knew where it was but that was a long time ago... PS when I was done I raised my price $1 per pound and still sold out
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Post by laughingllama75 on Aug 29, 2011 12:31:42 GMT -5
We sell our beef and pork to "friends and family". On the hoof......you deal with it however you want. if you only want half, then you must pay our estimated cost ahead of time, then make up difference at the end (beef only, pork they must buy whole). We learned a long time ago, if you dont want it for the price I'm asking....go to the grocery store. And it works for us! LOL
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Post by copperhead on Aug 29, 2011 21:58:27 GMT -5
I give my family a 25 cent discount, they are thrilled I try to price the meat at around the cost of good hamburger meat, so this last one cost my brother 3 bucks a lb and his friend paid $3,25, I know thats seems cheap, but I figure my costs and I can make money at that I don't grain feed so I'm not out a lot I will probably will raise the price this spring, because there will be a steep rise in beef prices, because of all the cattle being sold right now I can't believe anyone woulde expect you to feed and care for these animals for the "fun" of it, thats just wrong, haven't they priced beef at the store lately? ps,,, sorry for the lack of "periods" in my post, for some reason I can only get commas and question marks  |
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Post by Olga on Aug 31, 2011 13:32:35 GMT -5
Finally got a hold of a local meat processor that sells beef by quarter/half/whole. Ferguson's charges $2.29 per lb of hanging weight. Lou's Meat Market only sells "boxes" that include a "variety" of cuts. In actuality they contain mostly ground beef plus one package each of different types of stakes - each enough for 2 people for one meal.
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