Anybody Want to Split a Buffalo? (Indiana)

Metagirrl · #1 10/13/06, 08:09 PM

I'm looking at buying a buffalo for the freezer. Anybody local interested in going halves? The farmer told me that his 2 year olds run 900 - 1000 lbs, and he sells them for $1.25/lb live weight. Processing is 0.38 per hanging pound, and we should end up with 400 lbs or so of meat. SO, I'm estimating cost at:

Buffalo = 950 lbs * 1.25 = $1190
Kill Fee = $40
Processing Fees= 550 lbs * 0.38 = $210

Total = About $1440 for approx 400 lbs of meat = $3.60 per pound.

So, half would be about $770.

Let me know if you're interested - or just have some input on my calculations. This is the first time I've tried to figure the processing/yield for a large animal.

Thanks,

Amanda

Up North · #2 10/14/06, 08:26 AM

Just wondering how you arrive at your dressing percentage? Or does anyone know normal dressing % for Buffalo?......Our freezers are full so sorry wouldn't have an interest....But be interested to see how it all works out for you.

Rockin'B · #3 10/14/06, 08:58 AM

Where in Indiana are you?
That's a good price if it works out to 3.60 per finished lb.

We just bought a half a beef and that's what it came to.

Metagirrl · #4 10/14/06, 10:43 AM

I'm in Brownsburg, Just west of Indy off I-74. The buffalo will be processed in Colfax, Indiana. If I find someone interested, I'm sure we could work out transportation.

My live/hanging percentage came from beef. I'm sure it's not exact, but I used 58%, since a friend had just taken in a 1200 pound steer that hung at 700. Do you think that's reasonable? I've since found a couple of studies online that suggest 56-58% for buffalo.

I've been told to plan for about 400 lbs of meat from a two year old.

Rockin'B · #5 10/14/06, 12:02 PM

I am interested. I'll follow up by PM after I discuss with DW.

Thanks!

Metagirrl · #6 10/14/06, 08:56 PM

I think I've found a taker for this. Thanks for the interest. We'll post back and let you know how the dressing percentages work out for a buffalo!

Amanda

Up North · #7 10/15/06, 12:51 AM

Can I ask what your motivations are for choosing Buffalo over Beef

We tried some Buffalo(Bison) burger --just to try something different. Made Burgers on the Grill. It was good, but didn't seem much different than our grass fed steers...BTW it was $5.00/lb.

tbishop · #8 10/15/06, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Up North

Can I ask what your motivations are for choosing Buffalo over Beef

We tried some Buffalo(Bison) burger --just to try something different. Made Burgers on the Grill. It was good, but didn't seem much different than our grass fed steers...BTW it was $5.00/lb.

Well if you ever want to grow a bison calf out, I'll go halvsies with your guys up there

.

Tim B.

Up North · #9 10/15/06, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbishop

Well if you ever want to grow a bison calf out, I'll go halvsies with your guys up there

.

Tim B.

Right Neighborly of you Tim, but I don 't think my fences are up to the job for Bison, LOL.

Metagirrl · #10 10/15/06, 08:27 AM

Personally, I prefer the taste of bison meat. Now, don't get me wrong, a great beef steak (I prefer ribeyes and T-bone) is to be respected too, but I've always preferred the taste of the bison roasts and burger. It has a "sweeter" flavor, in my opinion. The last three winters, eight of us from my office have split a South-Datkota bison, but the price has gone up each year, and we're only able to get about 50lbs. So this year, I bowed out and decided to go local and see how the Indiana bison will compare.

tbishop · #11 10/15/06, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Up North

Right Neighborly of you Tim, but I don 't think my fences are up to the job for Bison, LOL.

Hadn't considered the fencing issue. Oops!

Tim B.

Metagirrl · #12 10/15/06, 10:09 AM

The farmer that raises them near us doens't really have any "special" fencing... it's just large wire mesh, on wooden posts, probably 5ft. tall. Given, it is well-maintained. I think the key to the fencing is to make sure they have plenty of food, in a reliable location. His are grass and grain fed, so they never have the need to roam.

Up North · #13 10/15/06, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metagirrl

... they never have the need to roam.

Bison that "never have the need to roam" is about like Holstein bulls that "never have the need to kill"

When you least expect it, LOOK OUT!