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.
3 local suppliers selling bulk beef in the Anchorage area. Prices in Alaska typically range $12.00-15.40/lb per pound.
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.
Anchorage
★4.6(184)Local beef supplier in Anchorage, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Anchorage
★4.6(193)Local beef supplier in Anchorage, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Anchorage
★4.1(123)Local beef supplier in Anchorage, Alaska. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.