Fall is the most active season for beef share purchasing. Many farms process their animals in September through November, when the weather is cool enough for efficient meat handling and animals have finished their summer grazing cycle. If you want a beef share for the coming year, fall deposits are often the entry point. Here is how to approach it.
Why Fall Is the Peak Season
Cattle on grass-based farms go through a natural cycle: summer grazing produces growth and condition, and fall processing takes advantage of animals at their peak weight after a summer of abundant pasture. This is also when the weather cooperates - cool temperatures support the hanging and aging process that produces better finished beef.
The practical effect: many farms sell out of their fall processing slots in late summer or early fall. If you want beef from a specific farm's fall harvest, put your deposit down in August or September.
Timeline for Fall Beef
A typical fall beef share timeline:
- July-August: Deposit period for fall animals. Best farms fill up here.
- September-November: Animals are processed, hung for aging (typically 10-21 days), then transferred to the butcher for cutting.
- October-December: Cut sheets go out to buyers; meat is packaged.
- November-January: Pickup from the butcher. Your freezer is full for the winter.
Questions to Ask When Ordering
- What is the expected processing date?
- Which butcher will cut and wrap my order? Can I contact them directly?
- When will I receive my cut sheet?
- What is the expected hanging weight range for my animal or share?
- What is your refund policy if the animal does not reach expected weight?
Spring Availability
Not all farms process only in fall. Some farms also have spring processing slots for animals finished over winter on hay and stored feed. Spring beef can be excellent - the animals have been managed through winter and processed in cool spring weather. Ask your farm if they offer spring shares as a second option.
Find a beef share farm near you on Butcher Bud and ask about their upcoming processing schedule.