Question 1

What is a beef share?

Accepted Answer

A beef share is a way to purchase high-quality beef directly from Martin Cattle Co. By
reserving a share of a cow, you receive a variety of premium cuts—steaks, roasts, and ground
beef—professionally processed and frozen for your freezer.

Question 2

What beef options does Martin Cattle Co offer?

Accepted Answer

We currently offer:
Whole Beef Share
Half Beef Share
50 lb Standard Beef Box

Question 3

How much freezer space will I need?

Accepted Answer

50 lb Beef Box: ~2 cubic feet
Half share: ~8–10 cubic feet
Whole share: ~16 cubic feet or more

Question 4

What cuts are included?

Accepted Answer

Whole & Half Shares:
A balanced mix of steaks (ribeye, NY strip, sirloin), roasts (chuck, rump, arm), ground beef, stew
meat, short ribs, and soup bones.

50 lb Standard Beef Box:
A curated assortment of popular cuts, typically including:
Ground beef
Steaks
Roasts

Question 5

Can I customize my cuts?

Accepted Answer

Whole & Half Shares: Yes. Customers will communicate directly with the farmer to choose steak thickness, roast sizes, ground beef packaging, and request specialty items (subject to availability). 
50 lb Beef Box: No customization. Boxes are pre-selected for convenience and value.

Question 6

How is the beef raised?

Accepted Answer

Martin Cattle Co cattle are humanely raised with a strong focus on animal welfare and responsible land stewardship.  We provide free access to lush pasture and supplement with locally grown and milled grains to enhance marbling and flavor.

Question 7

Where is the beef processed?

Accepted Answer

All beef is processed at a USDA-inspected facility to ensure safety, quality, and proper handling.

Question 8

How is the beef packaged?

Accepted Answer

Professionally cut
Vacuum-sealed or butcher-wrapped
Labeled and frozen for freshness

Question 9

How long will the beef last in my freezer?

Accepted Answer

Vacuum-sealed: up to 2–3 years
Butcher-wrapped: 12–18 months
For best quality, enjoy within the first year.

Question 10

How is pricing determined?

Accepted Answer

Whole & Half Shares: Priced by hanging weight plus processing fees.
50 lb Beef Box: Flat-rate pricing per box.

Question 11

What is hanging weight?

Accepted Answer

Hanging weight (also called hot carcass weight) is the weight of the animal after harvest, once the hide, head, organs, and internal contents have been removed. The beef is then split into halves and hung in a temperature-controlled cooler to age before being cut and packaged.

Question 12

Why do we price by hanging weight?

Accepted Answer

Hanging weight reflects the actual amount of beef that goes into processing and is the standard, transparent way farmers and processors price whole and half beef shares. It ensures fair pricing based on the true size of the animal, rather than packaged weight, which varies depending on individual cut choices.

Question 13

How does hanging weight compare to take-home weight?

Accepted Answer

The amount of beef you take home is typically about 60–65% of the hanging weight. The difference comes from:
Natural moisture loss during dry aging
Bones and fat trimmed during processing
Your chosen cuts (bone-in vs boneless, roast size, grind preferences)
Example:
If a half beef has a hanging weight of 350 lbs, you can expect approximately 210–225 lbs of packaged beef for your freezer.

Question 14

Why doesn’t pricing use final packaged weight?

Accepted Answer

Final take-home weight can vary significantly based on:
Cut preferences
Thickness of steaks
Bone-in vs boneless cuts
Using hanging weight keeps pricing consistent, fair, and easy to understand for everyone.

Question 15

When is payment due?

Accepted Answer

A deposit is due at the time of reservation. The remaining balance is due at the time of pick up.

Question 16

When will I receive my beef?

Accepted Answer

Whole & Half Shares: Ready for pickup approximately 2-3 weeks after harvest.
50 lb Beef Boxes: Available on scheduled pickup or delivery dates.

Question 17

Where do I pick up my beef?

Accepted Answer

Farm pickup at Argos Farm in Forked River NJ

Question 18

Why buy from Martin Cattle Co?

Accepted Answer

Customers choose Martin Cattle Co for:
Farm-direct transparency
Exceptional flavor and consistency
Supporting a local, family-run cattle operation
Beef they can feel good about feeding their families

Question 19

Is this right for me?

Accepted Answer

Beef Shares: Ideal for families with freezer space who cook beef regularly.
50 lb Beef Box: Perfect for first-time customers, smaller households, or anyone wanting to try Martin Cattle Co beef without committing to a share.

Question 20

Is there a cut sheet for reference?

Accepted Answer

Yes, see below for our cut chart reference.

Frequently Asked Questions