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Rancher Direct Certified

Buy a Half Cow
Direct from the Ranch

The smartest way to stock a freezer. Get 180+ lbs of verified, ranch-direct beef — more cuts, better value per pound, and enough to feed your family for the better part of a year.

Browse Available Half Cow Shares →Notify Me When New Shares Drop
✓Ships to lower 48 states
✓Verified Gold Standard ranches
✓180+ lbs of beef
✓No middlemen

Quarter Cow vs. Half Cow — Which Is Right for You?

If you're already familiar with buying a beef share, this is the question that matters. Here's the honest breakdown.

Quarter CowHalf Cow
Packaged weight~90–100 lbs~180+ lbs
Freezer space needed3–4 cu ft8–10+ cu ft
Lasts a family of 43–6 months6–12+ months
Starting priceFrom ~$950From ~$3,200
Value per poundGoodBetter
Best forFirst-timers, smaller householdsLarger families, serious bulk buyers

The quarter cow is the right starting point if you're buying ranch-direct beef for the first time or have limited freezer space. The half cow is for buyers who already know the value — and want more of it at a better per-pound rate.

If you're on the fence, ask yourself: do I wish I'd ordered more last time? If yes, the half is your answer.

→ See the Quarter Cow page if you're still deciding
Half cow share — vacuum-sealed cuts including ground beef, steaks, roasts, and brisket laid out on a dark surface

What Is a Half Cow Share?

A half cow share is one side of a whole beef animal — roughly double the volume of a quarter share, processed and packaged specifically for your order. Like a quarter, it comes direct from the rancher: no wholesaler, no distributor, no retail markup.

The beef is typically dry-aged, vacuum-sealed, and shipped frozen. You get a wide range of cuts — from everyday ground beef to premium steaks to slow-cooking roasts — in quantities that make a real difference to your weekly grocery routine.

For most families, a half cow share lasts six months to a year. For larger households or serious home cooks, it's simply the most efficient way to eat well.

What Do You Actually Get?

A half cow share is roughly twice the volume of a quarter — but the cut variety scales up proportionally, meaning you get more of everything, including the premium cuts that are easiest to run out of.

Ground beef — 70–90 lbs. The workhorse of the share. At this quality, you'll stop reaching for store-bought entirely.
Steaks — Ribeyes, NY strips, sirloins, chuck steaks. Typically 30–40 lbs. Enough to grill regularly without rationing.
Roasts — Chuck roast, arm roast, sirloin tip, brisket. 30–40 lbs. Ideal for slow cookers, Dutch ovens, and Sunday dinners.
Stew meat, cube steak, and specialty cuts — Fills out the share with versatile everyday options.
Bones and organs — Available by request or included with select options. Ebersole Ranch includes free organs or free knuckle and soup bones depending on your order selection.
180+ lbs
Total packaged weight
8–10 cu ft
Freezer space needed

A standard chest freezer handles this comfortably. Ebersole Ranch includes a free chest freezer with every half beef order — sized and ready before the beef arrives.

Worth knowing: The exact cut breakdown depends on the ranch, the specific animal, and your processing preferences. Message the rancher directly through BeefMaps before you commit — that's what the direct connection is for.

How Much Does a Half Cow Cost?

Half cow shares start from around $3,200 and vary based on ranch, finishing method, animal size, and whether processing and delivery are included.

Ebersole Ranch's half beef is currently priced at $3,500 pay-in-full — or place a deposit now for summer or fall delivery, with a final invoice of approximately $2,201 at processing. Pay in full and save $300. Either way, a free chest freezer is included so you're ready to go when the beef arrives.

Is that a lot upfront? Run the math. At $3,500 for 180+ lbs, you're looking at roughly $19/lb blended — across steaks, roasts, and ground beef combined. Comparable quality at a specialty grocer runs $25–$40/lb for steaks alone. The ground beef and roasts in a half share effectively come at a steep discount once you factor in the full mix.

The better question isn't whether you can afford a half cow. It's whether you can afford to keep buying the alternative.

Pay-in-full price
$3,500
Save $300 vs. deposit option
Deposit to reserve$500–$1,500
Final invoice at processing~$2,201
Delivery optionsSummer or Fall
Per-pound equivalent~$12–$18/lb packaged weight
Free chest freezerIncluded with every order
Reserve Ebersole Ranch Half Beef →

Why Buy a Half Cow from a Verified Ranch on BeefMaps?

At this volume and this price point, trust matters more than ever. A half cow is a significant commitment — you want to know exactly what you're getting and exactly who you're buying from.

Every ranch on BeefMaps is verified. Gold Standard ranches have been reviewed for their practices — finishing method, management style, animal welfare, and whether they ship or offer local pickup — before they're ever listed. You're not hoping a farm website is still in business. You're buying from a rancher who is accountable through our platform.

  • visibility
    No surprises on practices.

    See how the animal was raised — grass-finished, grain-finished, regenerative practices, certifications — before you put down a deposit.

  • forum
    Direct communication before you commit.

    Message the rancher through BeefMaps to ask about cut sheets, delivery timeline, and what's included. Real answers from the actual person raising your beef.

  • block
    Pricing goes to the ranch.

    No aggregator layer taking a cut. The rancher sets the price, you pay the rancher.

How the Process Works

A half cow share takes a bit more planning than a smaller order — but the process is straightforward once you know what to expect.

1
Find an available share.

Browse the BeefMaps shop or use the map to find ranches offering half beef shares. Availability is limited and seasonal — half shares are often reserved months in advance. If nothing is available right now, sign up for alerts and we'll notify you when a new share opens up.

2
Place your deposit to hold your spot.

Most ranchers require a deposit to reserve your half — typically $500–$1,500, applied to your final balance. Some, like Ebersole Ranch, also offer a pay-in-full option at a discount if you'd rather settle it upfront.

3
Your beef is finished, processed, and aged.

After your deposit, the rancher finishes your beef on pasture, then sends it to a trusted processor for dry-aging, cutting, and vacuum-sealing. This takes time — plan for weeks, not days. Good ranchers don't rush this part.

4
It ships to your door — freezer included.

Most of our ranchers ship nationwide to the lower 48, frozen and packed. Ebersole Ranch includes a free chest freezer with their half beef order — sized and ready for your share before it even arrives. Some ranches also offer local pickup or delivery within their region.

5
Stock your freezer. Eat well for the next year.

No subscription. No recurring charges unless you choose to reorder. Just a full freezer stocked with beef you know, from a rancher you've spoken to directly.

What a BeefMaps Rancher Has to Say

"
People ask me all the time if it's really worth it to buy a quarter beef instead of just grabbing a few pounds at the store. My answer is always the same: once you've eaten beef you raised yourself, on grass, from animals you know — you can't go back. That's what we've been doing since 1998, and it's what we want for your family too.
— Shanen Ebersole, Ebersole Ranch — Kellerton, Iowa
View Ranch on BeefMaps →

Available Half Cow Shares

Half beef shares move fast.

Live

Restocks follow processing and seasonal schedules, not a fixed calendar. Sign up below and we'll email you the moment a verified ranch near you has a half share available.

Ebersole Ranch Half Beef
Kellerton, Iowa · Grass-Fed & Grass-Finished
Available
Weight180+ lbs
Pay-in-full$3,500 (save $300)
Deposit optionFinal invoice ~$2,201
DeliverySummer or Fall
IncludesFree chest freezer
Reserve Now
SOLD OUT
Highland Heritage Share
Next availability: 1st of next month
Weight190–210 lbs
Price$3,800 all-in
Deposit$500
Sold Out
Get notified when shares drop

Enter your email and region — we'll ping you the moment something becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a half cow cost?expand_more
Half cow shares start from around $3,200 and vary based on ranch, hanging weight, and processing. Ebersole Ranch's half beef is currently priced at $3,500 pay-in-full — roughly $19/lb blended across steaks, roasts, and ground beef, with a free chest freezer included. You can also place a deposit now for summer or fall delivery, with a final invoice of approximately $2,201 at processing. Paying in full saves $300.
What size freezer do I need for a half cow?expand_more
Plan for at least 8–10 cubic feet of dedicated freezer space. A standard 7-cubic-foot chest freezer handles a half share comfortably with a little room to spare. If you don't have one, Ebersole Ranch includes a free chest freezer with their half beef order — it's sized for the job.
How long will a half cow last my family?expand_more
At 2–4 lbs of beef per week for a family of four, a half share typically lasts 9–12 months. Larger families or households that eat beef more frequently should plan for 6–9 months.
Is the per-pound price better than a quarter cow?expand_more
Yes. As a general rule, the larger the share, the lower the blended price per pound. A half cow from the same ranch will almost always work out cheaper per pound than a quarter — sometimes significantly so.
Can I split a half cow with another family?expand_more
Absolutely — and it's a smart move. Two families splitting a half cow each get roughly a quarter's worth of beef at a better blended rate. Just coordinate cut sheet preferences in advance, since the share is processed as one unit.
Can I customize my cuts?expand_more
It depends on the ranch and processor. Some offer a full custom cut sheet — thickness of steaks, size of roasts, ground beef fat percentage — others work from a standard breakdown. Message the rancher before placing your deposit to confirm what's available.
Is it grass-finished?expand_more
Depends on the ranch, and we're always upfront about it. Ebersole Ranch is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, Beef Initiative Verified, on regenerative pastures in Iowa. Other ranches on BeefMaps use different finishing methods. Every ranch profile lists their exact practices so you can choose what matters to you.
When will more half cow shares be available?expand_more
Half shares follow processing and seasonal schedules — not a fixed restock date. The best way to not miss one is to sign up for alerts. We'll reach out by region when a new share becomes available from a verified ranch near you.
Does it ship to my state?expand_more
BeefMaps ranchers ship to all lower 48 states. Alaska and Hawaii vary by ranch — check the individual listing or message the rancher directly.

Your Freezer Should Be Working Harder.

A half cow share is the most efficient way to eat well for the next year — verified beef, direct from the ranch, at a per-pound rate you won't find at any grocery store.

Shop Available Half Cow Shares →Get Notified When Shares Drop

All ranches on BeefMaps are verified. Ships to the lower 48. Questions? Message any rancher directly through their profile.