If you’ve never purchased meat by the share it’s important to understand how the process works. It is not the same as buying a pound of meat from the store. When purchasing meat from a small farm, such as Millennial Acres, what you actually purchase is a portion of a live animal, not pre-butchered cuts of meat. If you own the animal, you have the right to have it processed wherever you choose since the meat is for your individual consumption. This means you have the option of using a custom butcher. Unlike inspected facilities, custom butchers are not required to have an inspector present. Since the meat is not inspected, it is ineligible for resale. This is why meat from a custom butcher will always be stamped "Not for Resale".
Buying shares of a live animal gives you the opportunity to purchase local meat and the flexibility of custom butchering.
The pricing of meat purchased by the share is based on two factors, hanging weight and cutting instructions; two different payments are required, one to the farm and one to the butcher.
The first factor that determines your cost is the hanging weight of the animal. Custom processing gave rise to the use of mobile slaughter. With mobile slaughter, the butcher comes to the farm and harvests the animal on the property. This method is the least stressful for the animal since they never leave their home environment. After harvesting, the meat is transported back to the butcher shop where it is weighed and hung in cold storage. The weight of the meat as it hangs in cold storage is the hanging weight. Your purchase price, what you pay Millennial Acres, is based on the hanging weight. We will contact you after receiving the hanging weights from the butcher to let you know the hanging weight and cost of your share; final payment to Millennial Acres is due at this time.
The second factor that determines your cost is the cutting instructions you give the butcher. You can do anything you’d like with your share! For current costs you’ll need to contact the butcher. Once the butcher receives your instructions and completes your order they will contact you, so you can pick up your order.
During processing there is significant “waste” (bone and fat) that is removed. The waste is around 30% on both hogs and steer. The average hanging weight of a whole hog is 215 lbs. This means the final weight after processing for a whole hog will probably be around 150 lbs. The average hanging weight of a whole steer is between 650 - 850 lbs. This means the final weight after processing for a whole steer will be around 510 lbs. This is the amount of meat you will take home.
Small scale pork is sold as a half share or whole share and has always sold out; so don't be afraid to get your orders in early! Orders are typically placed twelve to six months prior to harvesting. We require a $100 non-refundable deposit that is applied to your final cost once hanging weight has been determined. Harvesting usually takes place in October or November.
Our pasture raised, grass fed beef is sold as a quarter share, half share or whole share. Orders are typically placed three to six months prior to harvesting, though some orders are placed more than a year in advance which gives you plenty of time to make space in your freezer. We require a $250 non-refundable deposit per ¼ share that is applied to your final cost once hanging weight has been determined. Harvesting can take place throughout the year, depending when calving occurs.
Do you have questions? Don't be shy! We know the first time you buy meat directly from a farm instead of the store can be a bit intimating. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, please use the "Contact Us" button below. When you are ready to place your order, please use the "Order Inquiry" below. We'll be in touch shortly.
Buying shares of a live animal gives you the opportunity to purchase local meat and the flexibility of custom butchering.
The pricing of meat purchased by the share is based on two factors, hanging weight and cutting instructions; two different payments are required, one to the farm and one to the butcher.
The first factor that determines your cost is the hanging weight of the animal. Custom processing gave rise to the use of mobile slaughter. With mobile slaughter, the butcher comes to the farm and harvests the animal on the property. This method is the least stressful for the animal since they never leave their home environment. After harvesting, the meat is transported back to the butcher shop where it is weighed and hung in cold storage. The weight of the meat as it hangs in cold storage is the hanging weight. Your purchase price, what you pay Millennial Acres, is based on the hanging weight. We will contact you after receiving the hanging weights from the butcher to let you know the hanging weight and cost of your share; final payment to Millennial Acres is due at this time.
The second factor that determines your cost is the cutting instructions you give the butcher. You can do anything you’d like with your share! For current costs you’ll need to contact the butcher. Once the butcher receives your instructions and completes your order they will contact you, so you can pick up your order.
During processing there is significant “waste” (bone and fat) that is removed. The waste is around 30% on both hogs and steer. The average hanging weight of a whole hog is 215 lbs. This means the final weight after processing for a whole hog will probably be around 150 lbs. The average hanging weight of a whole steer is between 650 - 850 lbs. This means the final weight after processing for a whole steer will be around 510 lbs. This is the amount of meat you will take home.
Small scale pork is sold as a half share or whole share and has always sold out; so don't be afraid to get your orders in early! Orders are typically placed twelve to six months prior to harvesting. We require a $100 non-refundable deposit that is applied to your final cost once hanging weight has been determined. Harvesting usually takes place in October or November.
Our pasture raised, grass fed beef is sold as a quarter share, half share or whole share. Orders are typically placed three to six months prior to harvesting, though some orders are placed more than a year in advance which gives you plenty of time to make space in your freezer. We require a $250 non-refundable deposit per ¼ share that is applied to your final cost once hanging weight has been determined. Harvesting can take place throughout the year, depending when calving occurs.
Do you have questions? Don't be shy! We know the first time you buy meat directly from a farm instead of the store can be a bit intimating. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, please use the "Contact Us" button below. When you are ready to place your order, please use the "Order Inquiry" below. We'll be in touch shortly.