Example
What does it cost to process beef?
Big Hickory Farms recommends a local USDA approved processor for preparing your Angus Beef. Costs vary slightly based on the cuts desired but as a general rule you can expect to pay $30.00 to dress the cow, plus forty cents (40¢) per pound for the butchering and $35.00 to vacuum pack your meat (HIGHLY recommended to prevent freezer burn!) A live cow dresses down to approximately half the live weight. Below is a chart explaining some typical costs for the cow and the costs of preparation it.
| Example - 500 Pound Live Weight | |
| Beef Cost $1.00/lb (example only - market prices apply) | $500.00 |
| Dressing Fee | $30.00 |
| Processing Fee 40¢/lb (based on 250lb dressed weight) |
$100.00 |
| Packing Fee | $35.00 |
| Total | $665.00 |
| Processing Cost per Pound (based on 250lb dressed weight) |
$2.66 |
A little about us ...
Big Hickory Farms is located on 125 acres at the headwaters of Lake Lanier just south of the foothills of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in Lula, Georgia. Since 1956, Angus cattle have graced the rolling hickory filled hills for which the farm was named. Our farm and breeding program consistently produces the best show quality breeding stock as well as sound meat beef for competitive markets.