Farm
Ramstead Ranch
Ione
★5.0(279)Local beef supplier in Ione, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsBuy Half a Cow in Alaska
Quick Answer
Half a cow in Alaska costs $3,600-4,500 ($12.00-15.40/lb per pound take-home). There are 9 local suppliers to choose from. Best time to buy: September-October. Most farms offer grass-fed beef.
Alaska's cattle industry is remarkably small—just 13,700 head as of 2024—making it the smallest state inventory outside Hawaii. The extreme 'Last Frontier' conditions create a hyper-local market where direct-to-consumer is the dominant model. Alaska imports 98% of its food, so locally raised beef commands significant premiums and represents food security for residents.
9 Suppliers
$8.50-9.25/lb Hanging Weight
September-October Best Season
9 Farm Pickup
Buying Bulk Beef in Alaska: Expert Guide
Pricing
Half cow: $3,600-4,500
Hanging weight: $8.50-9.25/lb
Take-home: $12.00-15.40/lb
Best Time to Buy
Peak season: September-October
Late summer through early fall (September-October) is optimal harvest timing. Cattle finish on summer pasture growth during the midnight sun growing season. Winter feeding on expensive imported hay is costly, so most producers aim to process before freeze-up. Spring beef may come from animals that overwintered, requiring hay supplementation.
Common Breeds
Galloway, Highland, Murray Grey, Lowline, Angus crosses
Typical practice: Grass-fed
Local Tip
Freight costs dominate Alaska economics. Local beef eliminates the $3,000+ cost of shipping a pallet of frozen meat from the Lower 48. Buying a quarter or half from a Delta Junction or Mat-Su producer is often cheaper than accumulating the equivalent weight in shipped retail beef. Join a local buying club to split whole animals and reduce per-family costs.
Top Production Regions
Delta Junction (agricultural hub)Mat-Su Valley (Palmer, Wasilla)Kodiak IslandKenai PeninsulaFairbanks Interior
Browse by City
9 Suppliers in Alaska
Farm
Chinook Farms
Snohomish
★4.9(24)Local beef supplier in Snohomish, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Delta Meat & Sausage Co
Delta Junction
★4.9(35)Local beef supplier in Delta Junction, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Alaska Interior Game Ranch, Inc.
Delta Junction
★4.6(9)Local beef supplier in Delta Junction, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Bear Mountain Meats
Palmer
★4.6(47)Local beef supplier in Palmer, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsButcher
Butcher Block No 9
Anchorage
★4.6(184)Local beef supplier in Anchorage, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Mr. Prime Beef
Anchorage
★4.6(193)Local beef supplier in Anchorage, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Mat-Valley Meats
Wasilla
★4.1(114)Local beef supplier in Wasilla, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Mike's Quality Meats
Anchorage
★4.1(123)Local beef supplier in Anchorage, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsGet notified when new suppliers are added in Alaska
No spam. Just a heads-up when we find new farms in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying Beef in Alaska
01
Why is Alaska beef so expensive compared to the Lower 48?
Alaska beef prices ($8.50-9.25/lb hanging weight) reflect extreme operating conditions: short 4-month growing seasons, expensive imported hay for winter feeding ($400-600/ton vs $150 elsewhere), limited processing infrastructure, and higher labor costs. However, comparing to shipped retail beef (which includes $2-4/lb freight costs embedded in prices), local beef is often cost-competitive while providing superior freshness.
02
What breeds work in Alaska's climate?
Cold-hardy heritage breeds dominate: Galloway (with thick double coats), Scottish Highland (built for harsh winters), Murray Grey, and Lowline (compact and efficient). These breeds originated in cold, wet climates and handle Alaska's -40°F winters. Brahman-influenced cattle that thrive in southern heat cannot survive here.
03
When should I order Alaska beef?
Contact producers in spring (March-May) to reserve fall processing slots. Most cattle are harvested September-October after finishing on summer grass. Processing facilities book 6-12 months ahead. Waiting until summer often means no availability until the following year.
04
How do I store beef through an Alaska winter?
Alaska's cold works in your favor—unheated garages naturally maintain freezer temperatures November through March. Many Alaskans use garage chest freezers or even outdoor freezer sheds. Power outages are a concern; a full freezer maintains temperature longer. Consider a generator backup given the investment in a $3,500+ half cow.
Buying Guides & Tools
First-Time Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know
Beef Cuts Guide
What cuts you'll actually get
Cut Sheet Guide
How to customize your order
Half vs Quarter Cow
Compare share sizes and costs
Grass-Fed vs Grain-Finished
Understand the real differences
Freezer Space Guide
How much space you'll need
Bulk Beef vs Grocery
See the real cost comparison
Price Calculator
Estimate your total cost