Your Guide for Buying Pork in Bulk

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posted on

July 22, 2024

Thinking about buying pork in bulk but feel like you don't know where to start?

We get it—it can seem like a big hit to your wallet and a lot to think about.

But don't worry, we've got you covered with all the info you need to make the best decision for your family and your budget.

Why Buy in Bulk?

Prices at grocery stores and big box stores are on the rise. Feed costs for livestock are going up too. It's frustrating when everything costs more except your paycheck, right?

Buying meat in bulk can save you money in the long run, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

Storage: First, consider your freezer space. A good rule of thumb is that 1 cubic foot of space can hold about 15-20 pounds of meat.
How Much You Eat: Think about how much meat your family eats. You can even team up with a friend or family member to split a bulk purchase.
Upfront Cost: Yes, buying in bulk might seem pricey because you pay a lump sum upfront. But think about how much you spend on groceries each month. The cost of bulk meat adds up to big savings over time.

Our Pork Shares

We offer half and whole shares of pork. Our hogs are rotationally grazed and forest-raised, which helps cut feed costs and keeps the hogs healthier (and that means healthier meat for you!).

Let's break down the pricing. Pricing can vary from year to year, but this guide can give you a rough estimate for the cost of your bulk pork investment.

For simplicity, we will use 180 pounds for the hanging weight of the hog and $6/lb for the whole share price and $6.50/lb for the half share price.

Pricing

Price is based on hanging weight. We aim for an average hanging weight of 180 pounds. The actual weight and price are confirmed by the butcher.

Whole Shares

Cost: $6.00-$9.00 per pound (hanging weight)
Harvest Fee: $75.00
Processing Fee: $1.25 per pound (hanging weight)
Deposit: $600.00 (non-refundable, goes towards total cost)

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For 180 lbs at $6/lb = $1,080 meat cost

MINUS $600 deposit

Final payment to us of approximately $480

Paying the processor:

180 lbs at $1.25/lb + $75 harvest fee = $300 plus any curing costs, sausage flavor costs, etc.

Our processors charge an additional fee for curing (like bacon, hams) and sausage flavors, links, patties or meatballs.

Whole shares include heart, kidneys, and liver.

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Half Shares

Cost: $7.00-$10.00 per pound (hanging weight)
Harvest Fee: $37.50
Processing Fee: $1.25 per pound (hanging weight)
Deposit: $300.00 (non-refundable, goes towards total cost)

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For 90 lbs at $6.50/lb: = $585 meat cost

MINUS $300 deposit

Final payment to us of approximately $285

Paying the processor:

90 lbs at $1.25/lb + 37.50 = $150 plus any curing costs, sausage flavor costs, etc.

Our processors charge an additional fee for curing (like bacon, hams) and sausage flavors, links, patties or meatballs.

Half shares do not include heart, kidneys, or liver.

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Important Notes

Hanging weights will vary. We always aim for 180 lbs of hanging weight but because each pig is different, this number can vary. The example above is only intended to give you an idea of what it would cost.
Half shares will cost more per pound than whole shares.
We actually encourage you to strongly consider a whole hog share because we feel like you get more value from your investment. We also know that about 90% of our customers wish they would have invested in a whole share first.
Your take home weight (yield weight) for your share will be about 75% of the hanging weight depending on which type of cuts you decide on. For 180lb hanging weight, you'll bring home about 135-140 pounds of meat.
Our pork shares are broken down into 3 payments - 1. Non-refundable deposit, 2. Final payment to us, 3. Payment to the processor for their services.

For a step-by-step guide to investing in your pork share, click here.