Split a Half Cow With Friends: How to Divide the Cuts Fairly

Buying meat in bulk has become an increasingly popular option for families looking to save money and eat healthier. When you split half a cow with friends, you not only share the cost but also ensure that everyone gets a portion of high-quality, local meat. At Wilson Farm Meats in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, this experience can be more than just a purchase—it can be your connection to a tradition of farm-raised meat going back over 150 years.

Wilson Farm Meats offers custom-cut, locally raised beef, perfect for individuals or groups. Their locally sourced meats promise freshness, flavor, and the satisfaction that comes from supporting a family-owned business deeply rooted in Wisconsin’s farming heritage.

By choosing to buy from Wilson Farm Meats, you’re not only investing in premium meats but also joining a growing movement that values sustainability, transparency, and food quality. And the experience of sharing this meat with your friends makes it even more rewarding.

How Much Meat Are You Getting?

When you split half a cow with friends, it’s important to know what’s included. On average, a half cow yields 180–220 pounds of meat. This includes a variety of cuts that fall into different categories. Understanding what you’re getting is key to dividing the meat fairly.

The meat is typically divided into approximately 25% steaks, 25% roasts, and 50% ground beef and miscellaneous items. It’s ideal for families who cook frequently and want flexibility in their meal planning. Knowing the breakdown ahead of time helps each participant anticipate freezer needs and meal possibilities.

Types of Cuts in a Half Cow

There are three major types of cuts that you’ll receive from half a cow:

– Steaks: Ribeye, sirloin, T-bone, filet mignon, flank, and skirt steak

– Roasts: Chuck, rump, brisket, and sirloin tip

– Ground beef and stew meat: The most versatile and evenly distributed parts

You’ll also receive soup bones, organ meats, and potentially short ribs or other specialty cuts, depending on how the animal is processed. Wilson Farm Meats offers custom processing, allowing you to select how you’d like your beef cut, wrapped, and labeled to match your specific needs. This makes it especially convenient when coordinating with friends who may have different cooking styles or preferences.

Tips for Organizing a Group Purchase

Pick the Right People

Splitting half a cow with friends should be enjoyable, not stressful. Choose people you trust and who have similar expectations about meat quality, storage, and cost. Everyone should be committed to sharing fairly and communicating openly. Having responsible, easygoing partners will make the process smoother and eliminate unnecessary disagreements.

Set Clear Expectations

Before you buy, agree on important details like:

– Budget: How much each person will pay

– Cut Preferences: Steaks, roasts, ground beef, and specialty items

– Quantity: How many pounds each person will get

Having a group meeting or shared document can help everyone stay on the same page. Wilson Farm Meats’ friendly team is always happy to answer questions and help you understand how the meat will be divided. You might also agree on packaging size (such as 1-pound or 2-pound packs) to make it easier for individual households to manage storage and meal planning.

Decide on Pickup and Distribution

Once your order is processed, Wilson Farm Meats will notify you when it’s ready. Confirm a pickup plan that works for everyone. Some groups send one person to pick it all up and then meet at a house or central location to divide. Having kitchen scales and extra bags or coolers can make this process faster and easier. Each participant should bring containers or bins to transport their share efficiently.

How to Divide the Cuts Fairly

Group the Cuts by Category

Start by sorting the meat by category: steaks, roasts, ground beef, and miscellaneous parts. This makes it easier to see what you have and prevents confusion during the divide. Use a large table or countertop for sorting and labeling categories. Keeping everything organized is the first step to making the process smooth and fair.

Split the Meat Equally

There are a few methods to keep things fair:

– Equal Weight: Divide total weight equally across all members

– Equal Value: Use average market prices to divide cuts by dollar value

– Equal Variety: Make sure each person gets an assortment—some premium cuts, some daily-use cuts

For example, if there are four families involved, and there are eight ribeyes, each family gets two. If someone doesn’t care for steak, make adjustments so they get extra ground beef or roasts. Be open to substitutions based on personal tastes. This flexibility ensures everyone walks away satisfied.

Make a Draft System

If you want to make it fun, host a “meat draft night.” Lay out the cuts and let friends take turns picking. This works well for smaller groups and keeps things interactive. You can even do it potluck style while enjoying snacks made from your first beef purchase. With Wilson Farm Meats offering perfectly portioned and labeled packaging, identifying the cuts during your draft will be quick and simple. You can make a night of it—complete with grill samples and recipe-sharing ideas.

Best Storage Tips for Your Share

How Much Freezer Space You Need

A half cow requires around 8 to 10 cubic feet of freezer space. If you’re sharing, each person needs about 2 to 3 cubic feet. Investing in a chest freezer makes storage easy and ensures long-lasting freshness. Before the meat arrives, measure your existing freezer and decide if you need additional space. A half cow’s worth of meat stays frozen for up to 12 months, making the investment worthwhile.

Label and Rotate

Once your meat is packed, labeling the packages with the cut and date is essential. Rotate your older cuts to the front and use them first. Wilson Farm Meats provides professionally labeled and vacuum-sealed packaging that helps keep your meat organized and fresh for months. Keeping a meat inventory sheet on your freezer is also a good idea so you can plan meals efficiently and avoid duplicate purchases.

Why Buy From Wilson Farm Meats?

Local, Trusted Quality

Located in Elkhorn, WI, Wilson Farm Meats has been a trusted source of farm-to-table meat for over a century. All beef is locally raised, honoring time-tested farming methods to produce meat that’s flavorful, healthy, and ethically sourced. Supporting a local farm ensures that you’re nourishing your family with meat that’s traceable, hormone-free, and carefully handled from pasture to plate.

Superior Service and Special Offers

Wilson Farm Meats doesn’t just sell beef—they offer a full-service experience.

– Custom meat processing for beef, pork, lamb, and veal

– Annual events like the Yearly Pig Sale

– Weekly value boxes and rotating specials to save you money

The knowledgeable team at their storefront in Elkhorn is happy to walk you through cut preferences, packaging choices, and any questions related to bulk purchasing. Their personalized service ensures you’ll walk away with exactly what you want. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or long-time customer, Wilson Farm Meats makes the process easy, transparent, and enjoyable.

More Than Just Beef

While many customers come for the beef, Wilson Farm Meats also offers:

– Heritage breed pork from their own Wilson Prairie View Farms

– A hand-picked selection of poultry and seafood

– Smoked specialty meats like bacon, bratwurst, liver sausage, and ring bologna, all processed on-site

This diversity makes it easy for customers to plan balanced meals while supporting a local business. Trying something new, like smoked kielbasa or pasture-raised lamb, can be a fun way to expand your menu and enjoy high-quality, locally produced protein.

A Few Challenges to Consider and How to Avoid Them

Conflicting Preferences

Friends may have different preferences when it comes to cuts. Someone may love steak, while another prefers roast or ground meat. The key is communication. Discuss ahead of time what is most important to each person and try to compromise where possible. Having a list of everyone’s favorite and least favorite cuts before dividing can help settle debates early.

Scheduling the Pickup

Coordinating schedules can be tricky. Choose a set date to meet and divide the meat. Wilson Farm Meats provides reliable processing timelines so you know when the beef will be ready. Use this info to plan accordingly and avoid scheduling inconveniences. Communicate clearly through group messages or a shared calendar to ensure everyone stays informed.

Storage Capacity

If one or more parties underestimate freezer space, you might face issues with spoilage. To avoid this, confirm everyone has the appropriate storage set up in advance, and go over storage tips such as labeling and freezing flat to conserve space. Stackable freezer bins and vacuum-sealed packages make organization easy and space-efficient.

Maximizing the Value of Your Share

Try New Cuts

Splitting a cow gives you access to cuts you might not normally buy, like oxtail, marrow bones, or short ribs. Take this opportunity to explore new recipes and cooking methods. Wilson Farm Meats’ knowledgeable staff can offer cooking suggestions, especially for unfamiliar pieces. You’ll discover rich flavors and hearty dishes like bone broth, braised short ribs, or slow-cooked stew that aren’t typically part of your weekly menu.

Meal Prep and Planning

With your new supply of beef, you can start preparing weekly meals ahead of time. Make burger patties, marinate steaks, or pre-cook roasts to have easy dinners ready. You’ll save time, reduce waste, and enjoy the benefits of bulk buying. Smart meal prep paired with quality meat means more nutritious home-cooked meals and fewer last-minute takeout runs.

Ready to Split a Half Cow With Friends?

Sharing a half cow isn’t just about saving money—it’s about sharing quality food with people you care about. When you team up with Wilson Farm Meats, you get expert guidance, premium cuts, and unbeatable local flavor, all with the comfort of doing business with a family-owned local farm in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.

If you’re ready to split half a cow with friends, contact Wilson Farm Meats today or visit their store at 406 S. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, WI. Their team is eager to help you plan your purchase and ensure a smooth, fair, and delicious meat-sharing experience.

Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, Wilson Farm Meats invites you to visit and experience farm-fresh quality like never before.

Ready to fill your freezer? Start your journey with Wilson Farm Meats—because great meat tastes even better when it comes from your own backyard.