cuts and packaging

[mommathea]

I hope this is the right place for my question. We're getting a 1/4 side of beef from some cattle that a friend of the family is having processed. I need to call the processor and let them know how I want the cuts and the lbs for packaging. I have no clue what I need or want. We seldom buy beef at the store because of cost, and don't eat a ton of it so I just don't know what I need. We're a family of 6 with 2 adults and 4 kids age 5and under. Any advice would be great.
Thanks

[Janis Sauncy]

Are you getting a front quarter, a hind quarter, or a half of side?

There is a difference.

If you get a front quarter, you get things like rib steaks, but no t-bones. If you get a hind quarter, you'll get t-bones but no rib steaks.

The roasts are different, also.

If you get a half of a side (my preference), then you will get some of everything.

As for the number of steaks per package, I would certainly assume one per adult. With four kids under the age of five, I would think two for the four would be more than enough - for a total of four steaks per package.

Also, the bigger the animal, the bigger the steaks.

You'll be asked what size packages of ground beef you'll want (one pound, pound and a quarter, pound and a half, two pounds....). And you'll need to know the approximate desired weights of your roasts.

You'll likely be asked if you want your beef ribs; if you don't, the butcher should trim them up and they'll end up in your ground beef.

Where I used to work, we offered either round steak left as "whole" or "cubed" or you could "half and half" it. Or, you could have it as roasts.

[mommathea]

They said that they devide the beef up = among the 4 sides. I asumed that they were going to divide the total meat.

Thanks that gives me an idea of what to expect and ask for!

[Janis Sauncy]

Originally Posted by mommathea

They said that they devide the beef up = among the 4 sides. I asumed that they were going to divide the total meat.

Thanks that gives me an idea of what to expect and ask for!

Good.

Although some people have certain preferences of hind quarter over front quarter (or vice versa), if it were me, I'd want it divided up the way it sounds like yours is going to be.

Enjoy!

[mommathea]

Thanks! We're excited about getting some good meat. I just got off the phone with the processor and they are dividing it up 4= ways with 4 families who ordered 1/4 side. So we do get some of everything!

[Shawna]

When we have split buys (maybe four families each buying a 1/4, etc) it's mixed front and hind so everyone gets some of everything.

When our butcher calls for packaging, he wants to know how htick you want your steaks? Do you want hamburger patties? If so, what size? How many steaks per package? What size roasts? What size for hamburger (1# package, etc)? That's also the time to speak up and voice changes. For example, my BIL got some meat from us and they don't eat roasts. So he had the roasts ground into hamburger. But that's the basic stuff.

Hope you enjoy your meat!

Shawna