Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

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

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

• 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Farm pickup at Argos Farm in Forked River NJ

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

• 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.

Yes, see below for our cut chart reference. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dd4bab_29a051a938f04669bb50476a3a9e92ad~mv2.png