My buddy raises cattle and is offering our friend group (fantasy football league) a steer for $2250 plus processing

The steer looks good (from what I can tell). Is this a good price?

Sounds extremely high, but there's a lot of detail to know, for an educated response.

Standing weight? Grain fed? If so, for how long?
Processing cost?

Not bad for a friend discount. Only about a thousand over what he'd sell for at the auction barn!

He said he'd be sent to processing Jan 2. Standing current weight would help?

Was wondering the same as above. Is he going to have it slaughtered now and charge the 2250 plus processing? Or will feed it out to ~1200 and then charge that? What are more of the specifics? Agree with GSS that it seems high just from what you've provided so far.

I just ran the math a few weeks back on holding back one of our own 600 pound steers and feeding it out until it gets around 1100-1200 pounds, and then having it processed. The all in cost (including essentially "buying" the animal/not realizing the return we could've had at the sale barn) of feeding, processing, etc. was around 2k and that would be for a little over 400 pounds of actual processed meat.

Thanks. Buddy says yes 100% grain fed. I asked about weight and he said:

"Good question. He's probably going to be pushing 950 rn. He will probs my get up around 1350-1400 at processing"

I've tasted some of his ground beef in the past. It was great. Just want to make sure it's a good deal. Not that I'm calling him a liar but I know so little about the subject

Also not sure the best way to get it cut but would love to get some good cuts if 5/6 of us are splitting the cost. Wouldn't be fair for someone to get all the ground beef while others get the steaks

Sounds like someone is getting screwed at that high price. Hope you got some lube. Is he going to guarantee that the meat is prime? I would go to costco or HEB and use your money to buy their prime will be better and you can get exactly what you want.

Go to HEB or wherever you get your meat. See what their all natural grass fed is going for per pound. Do the math for your all in cost per pound. If it's less to go with your friend's animal- then go with it. If more- pass.

I'd look more at their ground cost per pound. Chances are you end up with a lot more of it that steaks.

NWE said:

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Thanks. Buddy says yes 100% grain fed. I asked about weight and he said:

"Good question. He's probably going to be pushing 950 rn. He will probs my get up around 1350-1400 at processing"

I've tasted some of his ground beef in the past. It was great. Just want to make sure it's a good deal. Not that I'm calling him a liar but I know so little about the subject

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Doesn't factor in here - no bearing on what steaks will be like. Also, at that price and having it processed you're looking to get great steaks, roasts, etc. and minimal ground beef. Your also looking to have it processed into specialty cuts difficult to find in grocery stores.

Played with some numbers just to add some context so take this with a grain of salt.

If it's 950 now and assuming he gains 2 lbs/ day (gaining about 150 lbs for a round number between now and Jan 2), it'll probably be 1,100lbs at slaughter.

Assuming he dresses out at 65% of above, that's 715lbs hanging weight which I see an average price of $5/lb (or more) hanging which includes processing in most cases. So if you bought that steer, it would cost $3,575 including processing. You're paying $3.15 for hanging weight not counting processing. For reference, Navasota butcher charges $1/lb hanging weight for vacuum sealing plus $100 for slaughter so add $815 to that $2,250 and you're at $4.29 / lb hanging weight.

Another way to look at it is the cost of meat for your freezer. For 715 lb hanging weight lets say he yields 60%, that's 450 lbs of packaged meat. With the above processing + steer cost you're paying about $6.81/lb packaged meat which will include steak cuts, hamburger, roasts, and other cuts so you've got to average that out based on what you end up with.

We butchered one of our own recently and we will definitely do it again. Having the selection in the freezer is very nice to have.

I sold 8 steers at Navasota recently. They sold for between $1.15 - 1.32 on the scale. Mine were between 260 and 630 pounds. The biggest one that was 630 brought the least. Mine had just been weaned that week and so they hadn't been on any feed. If he's had them on feed, that adds to the price. My steers were very quality and there was 1 or 2 I could have raised to be a breading bull but I decided instead to put my money into the heifers.

That prices is VERY high, but I would find out if he has had them on feed and anything else you can learn. I am sure he has more invested into them than what I had on mine.

I am confused by those stating this price is high.

Assuming the live weight is around 1200 lbs, the hanging weight should be just north of 650 lbs. Even if you factor in $1 lbs charge and $100 kill fee from the processor that's still only $3K approximate. Keeping in mind of course, you're only going to get 450-475 lbs of meat. Split 5-6 ways that's not a lot, but the cost is also spread out among the group.

Personally, I wouldn't do this just due to the small amount of meat you would actually receive once divided, but a whole or even half a steer will take up considerable space in a freezer. A half steer I recommend a 10 cu ft freezer, a whole a 14 cu ft freezer.
Additionally, since there are so many people, someone is not going to get the cut that they want. Who gets the briskets? What if some want T-bones while others want filet and NY strips? How do you evenly distribute roasts and GM without someone feeling they were shorted? Should the GM be in 1lb or 2lb packaging? If your going to do this, why compromise?

We sell steer this very way, $5 per lbs hanging weight, your choice of cuts delivered to your door. Difference being ours are grass feed to 900 lbs, and grain finished.

One piece of advice as far as cuts go, remember the thicker the steak the more difficult it is to cook properly.

we have a few 1/2 wagyu steers available with spots at butcher in Poth, texas
around 1500#
Call Chuck @713-447-7747

NWE said:

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My buddy raises cattle and is offering our friend group (fantasy football league) a steer for $2250 plus processing

The steer looks good (from what I can tell). Is this a good price?

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You need new friends

Sounds like someone lost big in fantasy football and trying to recoup his losses from his "friends"!

This a pretty good guide on show calf if you wanted to get one from a local family. These show families are hard working young men and woman. These families have been effected tragically with Houston and Austin getting cancelled and now Ft. Worth.

We are one of those show steer families. All my kids show cattle steer and heifers. We also raise show and commercial cattle. You have the cost of the animal if they bought it from someone. Or if you raise show cattle like we do, you have all the breeding cost that goes into like AI, Flushing, Embroys, upgrading your heard with genetics, keeping your herd & calves healthy, feed cost, show supplies, but most of all, the hard work, countless hours working their projects. All of the the sweat & tears put into their animals. That right there IMO no dollar amount can be put on that. These kids pour their heart and soul into their projects because they love it and most never will even place at a major show.

We been very fortunate to have placed all of our steers and have had some class winners, Reserve Breed & Breed Champions over the years but it's a lot of hard work, generations of experience and also having the resources and money to build a good herd of generics to have steers that caliber.

My kids will have enough money from showing steers at summer jackpots, county shows and majors shows to put them through college from their winnings and hard work. Also have some scholarship money from Houston and San Antonio shows. It's not easy but then again I don't know one kid that shows that's doing it because it's easy, they do it for the love of showing their animals.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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This a pretty good guide on show calf if you wanted to get one from a local family. These show families are hard working young men and woman. These families have been effected tragically with Houston and Austin getting cancelled and now Ft. Worth.

We are one of those show steer families. All my kids show cattle steer and heifers. We also raise show and commercial cattle. You have the cost of the animal if they bought it from someone. Or if you raise show cattle like we do, you have all the breeding cost that goes into like AI, Flushing, Embroys, upgrading your heard with genetics, keeping your herd & calves healthy, feed cost, show supplies, but most of all, the hard work, countless hours working their projects. All of the the sweat & tears put into their animals. That right there IMO no dollar amount can be put on that. These kids pour their heart and soul into their projects because they love it and most never will even place at a major show.

We been very fortunate to have placed all of our steers and have had some class winners, Reserve Breed & Breed Champions over the years but it's a lot of hard work, generations of experience and also having the resources and money to build a good herd of generics to have steers that caliber.

My kids will have enough money from showing steers at summer jackpots, county shows and majors shows to put them through college from their winnings and hard work. Also have some scholarship money from Houston and San Antonio shows. It's not easy but then again I don't know one kid that shows that's doing it because it's easy, they do it for the love of showing their animals.

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While I agree with the sentiment to support these kids when all the shows are being so short-sighted... those numbers are a bit off for Texas and make the comparison a bit one-sided.

1) Processing will likely cost more than $500.
2) You can get ground 80/20 for $4 including tax, ground sirloin 90/10 for $5 Including tax. Stew beef is about $5 too. So that's much cheaper.
3) The steaks and other cuts all depends on What you're getting. Prime packer briskets are $4 a pound including taxes at HEB. Prime T-Bone or Strip is going to run $13. Choice much lower at $10 or so. And you probably aren't getting all prime from a local side of beef.

Just want people to make an informed decision about the extra cost of local beef and what they're paying for. It's just an economic fact that operations at scale are going to be cheaper. I chose to buy local earlier this year, but it's not about it being cheaper (because it won't be) - it's about supporting local kids putting in the effort. You pay a 15-20% premium to support them and most people don't use that much beef.

Every steer that I've been forced to eat that was raised by me and feed as a project has graded USDA Prime under inspection at the place I go. Usually only slaughter a calf that was a extra feeder that doesn't go to a major or is a State Fair age calf and sometimes skip the State Fair. Last year year was the first time we slaughtered two steers that were good enough to be in the breed drive at Houston and Austin.

That flyer came from our FFA advisor and was used to help promote people to buy local projects. From what I understand it came from Farm Credit who offers project loans.

I use Harvest House in Johnson City. Aggie owned and long time family friend. To slaughter a steer there it is 0.80 x carcass weight after slaughter. So say steer is 1200 on hoof carcass weight after slaughter around 744 pounds. So 744 x 0.80 = $595.20.

Vacuum wrap is included, free dry aging up to 14 days. Additional dry aging past 14 days is a minimal cost. I get mine at least 21 days. All steaks Club, Ribeye, TBone, Sirloin cut 2" thick. I also turn the Chuck and Arm into steaks cut 1 1/2". Keep all the ribs for BBQ, Fajita meat, Flank steak. Pike and Rump turned into hamburger. Keep the head, tongue, and heart. Give the liver away not a fan and I keep the hide to tan.

AS stated above, YOU NEED NEW FRIENDS, you are getting screwed. Go to HEB and COSTCO get prime steaks and you are money ahead.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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Every steer that I've been forced to eat that was raised by me and feed as a project has graded USDA Prime under inspection at the place I go. Usually only slaughter a calf that was a extra feeder that doesn't go to a major or is a State Fair age calf and sometimes skip the State Fair. Last year year was the first time we slaughtered two steers that were good enough to be in the breed drive at Houston and Austin.

That flyer came from our FFA advisor and was used to help promote people to buy local projects. From what I understand it came from Farm Credit who offers project loans.

I use Harvest House in Johnson City. Aggie owned and long time family friend. To slaughter a steer there it is 0.80 x carcass weight after slaughter. So say steer is 1200 on hoof carcass weight after slaughter around 744 pounds. So 744 x 0.80 = $595.20.

Vacuum wrap is included, free dry aging up to 14 days. Additional dry aging past 14 days is a minimal cost. I get mine at least 21 days. All steaks Club, Ribeye, TBone, Sirloin cut 2" thick. I also turn the Chuck and Arm into steaks cut 1 1/2". Keep all the ribs for BBQ, Fajita meat, Flank steak. Pike and Rump turned into hamburger. Keep the head, tongue, and heart. Give the liver away not a fan and I keep the hide to tan.

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Those look fantastic and in no way was my post any kind of slight to your meat and definitely not the effort you (and your kids) put into them. Definitely not "forced to eat" quality... If you'll notice, you'll see that I said actually bought a side of beef locally this year. I've been very impressed with the quality. Hell, I'd definitely buy from you, too by the looks of those and the pedigree. Plus, that's cheaper than my processing fee that I paid last year, so another plus in your column. Mine was just over $700 (maybe I got taken for a ride, who knows). Maybe I'll give you a call when I'm through this one.

And I loved getting the tongue - that's not common at HEB and it's delicious. Not every local beef supplier is at your quality though, either.

As for the flyer, I'm sure it was well-intentioned and maybe those prices are accurate somewhere else. But I know the prices in my area because I literally did this cost comparison a few months ago. Doing a direct cost comparison, it does cost more than trips to HEB. That's just economics. But I was willing to pay it because it was close enough and I was supporting a local group. That doesn't really seem to be the situation with this buddy of the OP's and want to make sure he understands that his buddy's deal doesn't automatically mean cheaper.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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Every steer that I've been forced to eat that was raised by me and feed as a project has graded USDA Prime under inspection at the place I go. Usually only slaughter a calf that was a extra feeder that doesn't go to a major or is a State Fair age calf and sometimes skip the State Fair. Last year year was the first time we slaughtered two steers that were good enough to be in the breed drive at Houston and Austin.

That flyer came from our FFA advisor and was used to help promote people to buy local projects. From what I understand it came from Farm Credit who offers project loans.

I use Harvest House in Johnson City. Aggie owned and long time family friend. To slaughter a steer there it is 0.80 x carcass weight after slaughter. So say steer is 1200 on hoof carcass weight after slaughter around 744 pounds. So 744 x 0.80 = $595.20.

Vacuum wrap is included, free dry aging up to 14 days. Additional dry aging past 14 days is a minimal cost. I get mine at least 21 days. All steaks Club, Ribeye, TBone, Sirloin cut 2" thick. I also turn the Chuck and Arm into steaks cut 1 1/2". Keep all the ribs for BBQ, Fajita meat, Flank steak. Pike and Rump turned into hamburger. Keep the head, tongue, and heart. Give the liver away not a fan and I keep the hide to tan.

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What's the trick to keeping the hide? Do they charge extra since they're not selling it downstream?

Here's your slaughter steer prices.....make up your own mind on his price.
https://www.drovers.com/article/cattle-slaughter-9000-head-prices-down-5-choice-beef-9

If you're talking about buying someone's show steer/ project animal, then that's a different animal so to speak. Yes, kids tend to get much better pricing for their animals if they make it to shows and especially at auctions.

You can't really compare that to buying a pastured animal from a rancher. They may be a similar animal, depending on feeding, but project animals can command more money, and rightly so for the time and effort kids are putting into raising and caring for the animals.

NWE said:

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My buddy raises cattle and is offering our friend group (fantasy football league) a steer for $2250 plus processing

The steer looks good (from what I can tell). Is this a good price?

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I operate a feedyard in the panhandle, the current market price for finished 1300 lb. steer is $1.09/lb. or $1417.00.

See post above , $1500 would be a decent price and is worth it.

$2250!!!!????

Didn't take it that way and you made a lot of good points. I was just saying there is some great places to take a steer and still get a 1200 pound steer butchered under $600. Most show steers going to be little higher grade just do to the breeding even if it's not a steer that doesn't place at a major. Also those steers were well feed on a good feeding program by those exhibitors. It's still going to be better than the best commercial stocker steers that end up in the feedlots and like you said helping out local families. Most of you high end meat comes from the show industry across the country those steers that place at those big shows across the nation or are floored at those shows that didn't place. Then you have some ranches that produce high quality steers investing in genetics of their herd with good feeding program.

I'll let you know if I have any to sell this year. I went conservative this year on raising show steers after what happened last year. Each kid has 2 steers for County show and all the major shows this year. Before Covid I raise steers so each kid had a steer for every show based on that judges liking.

Typically they will charge a price can range between $50 up to couple hundred bucks but the place I go to since and he is a buddy, he won't charge me for the hide.

Some of the ones raised recently. Both these calves out of embryos half brothers same cow just different Bull used to fertilize the egg. Put the embryo's in resip cows. Little different baldy calf from the all yellow one. All yellow one little bigger but all there and has huge Bone. Baldy little smaller but he's all there too. Both calves did well at majors and county.

NWE said:

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My buddy raises cattle and is offering our friend group (fantasy football league) a steer for $2250 plus processing

The steer looks good (from what I can tell). Is this a good price?

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Not a bad price, processing usually runs $800 -$1000
If you want grocery store do that. Buying a full beef or buying from a branded program isn't for everyone but quality is definitely higher

Can you please share where you are getting your hide tanned? Our local guy stopped doing them because the price of the chemicals(?) was getting too high. Now that I am old enough, I really want the hide from the steer we send to slaughter this year.

He's a family friend. I also worked with him, when I worked at Pedernales Electric Coop. His name is Mark Morren Double M Taxidermy. Number is (512) 755-1796. He's a world renown taxidermist won at the national and world levels. He's also a super cool guy and he is the former Chairman many years for the Texas Taxidermy Association.

https://www.pec.coop/news/2018/taxidermy-nationally-recognized/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/Double-M-Taxidermy-and-Hunting-Adventures-706147976078580/about/?ref=page_internal

Thank you, sir. Looks like I'll also be taking this year's buck to him.