FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a "Share"?

A meat share is whole or half ownership of an animal that we raise to harvest age for you.  When you purchase a whole or half share of an animal, you purchase all of what will be harvested from the animal.  We cover the costs of breeding, feeding, raising, and slaughtering the animal.  Purchasing a  meat share is an excellent opportunity to support a small-scale livestock operation in your community, and to connect with the people who grow your food.
 

The cost of your meat share is calculated based on the hanging weight of your share.  Example:  at $7 per pound, your half pork share has a hanging weight of 116 pounds, and will cost you $812.  At $9.00 per pound your whole lamb share has a hanging weight of 41 pounds, and will cost you $369.

What is "Hanging Weight?"

Hanging weight is the total weight of the animal after it has been skinned and eviscerated.  The animal will be delivered to the butcher at this point.  The butcher will then contact you to determine which cuts you would like.
 

How Do Butcher Fees Work?

In addition to the share fee, you must also pay a fee to the butcher to cut and wrap your meat.  This fee is based on the hanging weight of the animal ($0.50 - $0.90 / lb), and covers all standard processing.  Additional fees for smoking, curing, or specialty processing also apply.  In 2020 we will be using Wynoochee Valley Meats in Montesano, WA.

How Much Meat Can I expect?

Pork

Below is an example of  what you will get for a half pork share (double these numbers for a whole share).  Our expected hanging weight for a half pork share is 100-120 pounds.  Keep in mind that this is just an estimate and the actual yield will vary based on the hanging weight of the individual animal and the cuts you select.

  • 12-15 pounds of pork chops

  • 2-4 pounds of spare ribs

  • 8-10 pounds ground pork or sausage

  • 13-18 pounds of ham

  • 8-10 pounds of pork belly (bacon or fresh pork belly)

  • 8-10 pounds of shoulder roast

  • 3-5 pounds of picnic roast

  • 4-6 pounds of bones (for stock or your dogs)

  • 8-12 pounds of fat (can be rendered into lard)

  • 10-12 pounds other (head, offal, trimmings, etc.)

Lamb

Below is an example of  what you will get for a whole lamb share.  Our expected hanging weight for a whole lamb share is 35-50 pounds.  Keep in mind that this is just an estimate and the actual yield will vary based on the hanging weight of the individual animal and the cuts you select.

  • 4-6 pounds of chops or rack

  • 6-8 pounds of leg roast

  • 4-6 pounds of shoulder roast

  • 4-6 pound of ground lamb

  • 4-6 pounds of stew meat

  • 2 pounds of offal

  • 4 pounds of bones

Can I Get Offal or Bones?

Yes.  You can keep 100% of the hanging weight if you would like.  Please make a note if you would like to keep any of the organ meat or bones.  Please be sure to let the butcher know what you would like to keep.

How much freezer space do I need?

In general, 1 cubic foot of freezer space fits approximately 35 pounds of meat.  A small (5 cubic feet) chest freezer should fit a whole pork share, and can be obtained for $150 - $200. A small chest freezer is an excellent investment.