Thinking about stocking your freezer with local, grass-fed and finished beef—but not sure how the process works? This quick guide walks you through every step, from reserving your spot to picking up your neatly boxed, vacuum-sealed cuts. The process can be overwhelming and confusing. This blog is to simplify and answer questions you may have.
How do I reserve a date for freezer beef?
Go to our Freezer Beef Deposit listing, Use the dropdown menu to select size ( Deposit – Half Freezer Beef or Whole Freezer Beef Deposit) , then choose your processing month. Add to cart and pay the non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot.
What and who you pay
- You pay Rowe Family Farms for the live animal . The price is set based on the the live weight at the time the animal is taken to the processor.
Note: When reserving a date for your live animal from Rowe Family Farms, you are paying a nonrefundable deposit to reserve your date for processing and live animal. You receive a final invoice for the total weight of the live animal prior to your processing date. We use a large animal scale to weight the animal 15-20 days to processing date. The deposit is applied to the total amount owed. This does not include the processing free which is paid at the time of pick up.
- The processor is paid based based on hanging weight and your custom cut choices. Rowe Family Farms pays the processing fee upon pick up date on your behalf. You reimburse Rowe Family Farms for your processing fee prior to delivery. We do not charge an additional fee for this service, you pay the cost for the processing fee of your animal.
How do you know what customer cut choices to make?
Rowe Family Farms make this simply. We call you 25–30 days before your processing date to build your cut sheet together. We ask you questions and help you make the best discissions for your purchase. However, your custom cut choices dictate how many pounds of meat you will receive upon delivery.
How is the meat packaged?
Each order arrives in individual vacuum-sealed packages—clean, clearly labeled, and simple to organize. The tight seal helps protect flavor and reduce freezer burn, while the labels (cut, weight, and pack date) make meal planning effortless. Stack them neatly in bins or on shelves, grab exactly what you need, and keep the rest perfectly fresh for later.
Who takes the animal to the processor and picks up the meat?
Rowe Family Farms handles it end-to-end. We coordinate your custom cut sheet with the processor, transport the animal on your scheduled date, and white-glove deliver the finished, boxed beef to your home. For food safety, chain-of-custody, and liability reasons, we do not open, re-package, or review boxes—your cuts arrive sealed exactly as prepared by the processor.
Are there additional invoices?
Yes, we price your beef by the live weight of the animal, and cattle continue to grow until the processing date—so the final live weight (and your total) can shift slightly. The processor then bills separately by the hanging weight, which also varies based on the animal and your custom cut choices. We’ll give you close estimates for both live weight and processing fees up front, but actual totals are set at harvest. If the live weight comes in higher, we may add a small adjustment to cover the additional pounds when reconciling the processor’s invoice. If it’s lower, we issue a refund for the difference on the live-weight portion against the processing fee.
What is the average hanging weight?
It varies by animal and season, but a good rule of thumb is ~50% of live weight. For example, a 1,100 lb live animal typically hangs around ~550 lbs. Your take-home, boxed meat will be less than the hanging weight after trimming and cutting to your custom specs. Your custom cuts determine the amount of meat you receive. (Please keep in mind, this is an estimate—not a guarantee—and actual numbers are set at harvest.)
Here is a link to Tennessee Extension regarding How much meet to expect from processing. Keep in mind our beef is grass fed and finished, this is an information guide and may vary due the nature of live animal growth and weight gain and custom cuts of meat.
Pricing Transparency
You are purchasing by the live weight of the animal from Rowe Family Farms.
- Price: $3.00 per live lb
Typical live weight at harvest: ~1,000–1,200 lbs (Black Angus)
Estimated totals (examples):
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Half Beef (customer buys half of the live animal)
- Example live-weight cost: $1,500–$1,800 (varies with actual live weight)
- Processor fees (paid to processor): typically $350–$500 based on final hanging weight and choices
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Whole Beef (customer buys the full live animal)
- Example live-weight cost: $3,000–$3,600 (varies with actual live weight)
- Processor fees (paid to processor): typically $800–$1,000 based on final hanging weight and choices
Note: All prices above are estimates. Final totals are determined by the actual live weight (for your purchase from us) and the actual hanging weight plus services you select (for the processor’s invoice).
Still have questions, that's okay.
Shoot us an email rowefarmstn@gmail.com or call/text 423-650-2891
Why Buy Freezer Beef from Us?
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Local, grass-fed cattle raised on pasture here in Cleveland, TN
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Custom cut sheet to fit your family (we call 25–30 days before processing)
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Vacuum-sealed packaging for freshness and easy freezer organization
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Support a small, family-run farm and enjoy premium beef all year
Additional Information:
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Deposits are non-refundable and secure your spot on our processing schedule.
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Final weights and totals vary; estimates are provided as a courtesy.
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Availability is limited by processing dates and seasonal schedules.