If you’re rurally located like we are and source your meat direct from the producer, this is a thread for you to help others to bypass the grocer prices. Share your general location and your source in the comments, and include enough information for readers to find them (website, facebook page) but make sure the contact info is publicly available.
For those of you new to this: some of these producers have client lists, so don’t call up expecting to buy on demand. Be prepared to place an order.
Here’s our beef supplier, for readers in SE Saskatchewan. Tell Lucas I sent you. (I can also line you up with lamb in the Saskatoon area, just drop me an email about that).
So what’s the discount to grocer’s prices on, say, ground chuck? And for what quantity? Other restrictions, Kate?
I think direct from producer ground is usually around $5lb, but the key is in buying a half or splitting a whole with friends and family. The price distribution when you factor in the steaks and roasts is unreal. You can eat t-bone at ground beef prices.
But it is important that you buy from someone who knows how to finish properly. Buying from some acreage owner on Kijiji who fancies themselves a “grass fed” producer can be touch and go.
I’m that guy with some random mixed breeds wandering around knocking trees over and getting shot every once in a while. I’m afraid to sell it because I have no idea if it will be any good. I just keep it for ourselves. And friends of it tastes ok.
It’s meat, beats eating ‘ ze bugs ‘.
We did this, but with 3 boys at home, we ended up eating a LOT of steaks, and it became uneconomical because we were eating so much beef.
Thanks, Kate. I have heard that before re “ grass-fed “ producers. Thanks for re-iterating that.
The steaks/roasts could close the deal. And with the threat of hyperinflation ( the ultimate great re-set ) even buying a new freezer seems like nothing more than insurance.
Ain’t sharin’ it. The holier than thou’s can figure it out on their own.
Thanks Kate – great idea for thread. Recently moved into the Ponoka/Rimbey area (hwy 53). And looking for a good option for cattle slaughter/butcher.
That’s a great idea. Maybe we can scout around for producers in my area… one that can assure us that no mRNA shots will be administered to the livestock.
Harriston Packing Co.
https://harriston-packing-company-ltd.myshopify.com/
They are in Harriston, Ontario. North of Palmerston. Northwest of Guelph. Great rib-eyes if you like em thick.
Hamilton farms, between Cochrane and Airdrie in Alberta. They are our neighbors and run a great operation.
They do sell ground beef and sausage in smaller increments, but otherwise you go for a quarter, side, or whole beef. Cost is $5.25/pound hanging weight, and take home weight is usually 60-70% of the hanging weight.
https://www.hamiltonfarms.ca/
Our family, four children, buys a whole grass fed cow each year. Typically it’s about $3000 for just over 650lb butchered the way we want which is basically 1.5” steaks, lots of ground, and some roasts. Not included in that weight is all of the organ meat and bones we get for our dogs. We also get a discount, for most folks it would cost $3500 all in. So $5-6/lb it works out to depending on butchering instructions.
This is on Vancouver Island
I placed a couple orders last year with an Ontario farm that does deliveries. Would love to keep ordering but the prices are way higher than the grocery store, plus delivery fees. Sadly not economically viable.
That’s more boutique market than farm sourced. That’s an industry in itself.
Not exactly. I run a farm and sell the meat delivered. It’s a little pricier than the stuff at the market but it’s better, plain and simple.
If you want a discount buy from Costco.
Without divulging too much about my actual location, I can recommend a solid butcher/ rancher in Eastern Pennsylvania (an area I grew up in). Whenever I’m in that area, it’s a must stop. Here’s a listing of their products (inclusive of dressing various game for hunters in the area).
Dietrich’s Meats
https://dietrichsmeats.com/img/DietrichsMenu.pdf
Grocery stores in the area will charge you about $10.50 for a pound and a half of ground chuck. They do it for about $6.50. Additionally, they have various meat stands at the regional farmer’s markets with the same prices. They won’t ship fresh meat to your location. BUT, they will ship smoked meats anywhere.
Just went to Dietrich’s on Sunday to load up on brats and snappy dogs! Also love anything smoked that they make– it’s all good stuff. We go 2X-3X a year. We also stop at Cabela’s and the cigar store while we’re out that way.
I would be interested in patronizing anyone selling north or east of Winnipeg.
Ottawa Valley Meats.
A bit pricier than the grocery store, but so much better quality. They deliver.
Travelled to Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan (I live in Edmonton) for a family obligation a few months ago, and came to know a horse rancher operation in the area called Winning Ways:
https://www.winningways.ca/
She raises and sells beef (and has access to lamb) as well as doing horse ranching/rides/training. We purchased roasts and ground beef from her at very reasonable prices, and the ground beef was the finest I’ve ever seen (the roasts were no slouches, either). She takes cash and e-transfer.
Hirsche Fraser Meats in Okotoks, AB. The meat is home grown near Del Bonita, AB. Buy in store or chat with the owners at the store about larger quantities. Good friends for 25+ years. Other meats as well.
If you want quality, order individual cuts. But expensive.
If you want to save money, buy a 1/2 cow. Cheap but you need the room. And make sure you aren’t connected to a wind turbine or solar panel in case your hydro goes out for a few days and you lose $800 worth of “cheap” meat.
Fifty years ago my dad, always on the lookout to save a few bucks, thought to buy 1/2 a cow. He was really pis*ed when it arrived, bones and all. He hadn’t realized that 1/2 a cow meant just that. Of course, mom immediately realized the value of the bones.
BTW, great thread.
I used to order from Black Angus in Mississauga, but they went out of business a few years ago… I also don’t have space for a chest freezer any more
I find this topic a bit of a double edged sword. I’m all for supporting small town, cottage industries. I do so whenever I can, which is often. But, a lot of them don’t want to become “too well known” if you get my drift. Many are very small, and they barter, or deal in cash only, and don’t want the tax man to even know they are there.
That works for me, the more discrete the better.
I’m located in Vonda, SK — northeast of Saskatoon — and would love a recommendation to a local source.
NW of Saskatoon, SK
https://www.facebook.com/JDPremiumAngusBeef/
We’ve bought a 1/2 beef from them for a few years and really like the quality.
They like to use Friesens Meat Processing near Warman, so that wouldn’t be too far.
Friesens does our lamb, they’re good to work with.
East GTA: http://www.cartwrightfarms.ca/
Grass fed was < $5 2 years ago by sides. Probably more now but still cheap. Wonderful fellow.
East of Calgary: https://springvalefinefoods.com/
Hutterites that care about how people perceive them. <$5/lb halves and quarters. Talk to George. Custom cut. I could make a commission on this but I’m not putting my contact info here. I’m happy to see a neighbour be too busy and skipping the middle man.
Expensive beef news sounds like a joke to me. Drive an hour on a Saturday morning and you’re set for a year with far superior meat to what’s on the shelf for a fraction of the price.
have a friend who farms, and can butcher!
Guelph Area:
https://thatcher-farms.com
Excellent meat
McIntosh Farms Butcher Shoppe. Listowel On. Great owners. No preservatives. Top quality.
mcintosh farms.ca
We get ours from Bruce and Abby Jensen of Huxley, AB. I have a steak in my freezer that would bring $150 at any good restaurant in almost any American city. Charlie & Rochelle Christie out in that area raise some fantastic beef, as do Derek & Lois Benedict. You will not regret, whether you smoke it, grille it, or roast it.
I usually sell two or three a year to a local butcher. Most 0f the rest go the usual route.
A lot farther South than most of you. But maybe there are some readers from my neck of the woods.
Northeast Oklahoma:
EZ Angus Beef
https://www.facebook.com/EZangus/
Pasture raised, Corn Finished, custom cut 1/4, 1/2 or full as well as sampler boxes.
Just did a half for $1.85/Lb hoof weight and a flat $400 to custom cut and package. Worked out to 4.87/Lb average cost.
My favorite rancher is Hoss Cartwright.
My favorite butcher is Che Guevara, mostly because of the great T-Shirts with the beret .. it’s a great college look.
spraggsmeatshop.com. butcher shop in Rosemary, Alberta (near Brooks) and two outlets in Calgary. Great gluten free sausages, grass fed beef, chicken, and their own pork.
Hale Ranch Beef is who we have been using.
https://haleranchbeef.ca/
What an awesome thing to post! Excellent in every way, Kate.
Model Meats in Watrous
https://coolsprings.ca/ Deliver to Saskatoon and Regina and places in between once a month.
I have been ordering from them for probably 10 years or so. I love their whole chicken, pork and sausages. Maybe not my favourite place to get a steak, but the ground beef is also great.
Ontario market price is about $3.25/lb dress for A grade. My butcher comes in about 80 cents a pound. Cost is roughly $4/lb.
1 year ago it was $2.90/lb ($3.70 after butchering). 2 years about $2.40/lb ($3.20 after butchering).
https://www.ontariobeef.com/markets/daily_reports/2023/20230120.pdf
You take home about 70% of dress weight so your $4/lb is $5.70/lb for what you take home. You lose the 30% from blood during hanging, cutting excess fat, bones.
Shout out for McDonald’s Meats in Clear Lake, MN. Small town family owned butcher… Every day prices are on the high side but their sale prices are usually quite good.
The coolers in the shop area are lined with trophies and ribbons for the dozens of state and national awards won with their sausage, jerky, bacon recipes. This is the place to go for brauts!
Even if I have to pay a little more, I know I’m getting good quality, locally raised meat when I buy stuff there.
If you’re east of Ottawa – https://www.butcherstogo.com/ – located in Alexandria Ont.
They source locally and the quality is always very good and prices a bit better than grocery store.
We load up a cooler and go shopping there once a month or so.
Now that there’s only 2 of us at home; getting good at making secondary meals from roasts.
I’m a fan of Brokenhead Sausage in Beausejour, MB. Yes, I like it because of the name, but people tell me they’re very good.