Benson’s Barnyard
How it works
Four steps. Most of them are waiting.
From the deposit to the freezer, here is what happens and when. The beef is expected in February 2027.
- 1
Reserve a share
Pick a quarter, half, or whole. Give me your name, phone, and email, read a short plain-English agreement, and put down the deposit. That holds your share.
- 2
Do nothing for a while
The steer keeps growing on pasture through the fall and winter. You can check on your reservation any time with just your phone number, but there is nothing you need to do.
- 3
Processing
Around February 2027 the steer goes to the processor. That is when the hanging weight is measured, and that number sets your final price at $9 per pound. Cut preferences get handled around then too.
- 4
Pay the balance, get your beef
Once the exact balance is posted, you pay it by card from the same order page. Then I work out pickup or delivery with you directly, and you fill the freezer.
Your order page
Three stages, and your phone number is the key.
Go to Order Status any time and enter the phone number you reserved with. That is the whole system.
- 1
Reserved
Still growing in the Benson’s backyard. Literally.
Your beef is reserved. There is nothing you need to do right now. The remaining balance gets posted here after processing, once the actual hanging weight is known.
- 2
Processing
Your share of beef is on the way to freezer camp.
The steer has gone to the processor. Once the hanging weight comes back, the exact remaining balance is posted here and you can pay it by card.
- 3
Ready
Finally, your home-grown beef is ready to enjoy.
It is cut, wrapped, and frozen. I will reach out directly to work out the handoff with you.
Freezer space
Will it fit?
The question everybody asks first. These are estimates. The final numbers depend on the animal and how it gets cut.
Quarter Beef
~5cu. ft.
Roughly 5 cu. ft. A small chest freezer handles it.
about 90 to 120 lb packaged, frozen
Half Beef
~8cu. ft.
Roughly 8 cu. ft. A dedicated freezer is strongly recommended.
about 180 to 240 lb packaged, frozen
Whole Beef
~16cu. ft.
Roughly 16 cu. ft. A dedicated freezer is a given at this size.
about 360 to 480 lb packaged, frozen
A new 5 cu. ft. chest freezer runs about $150 to $200. If you need one, Lowe’s carries them.