Farm
All Grass Farms LLC
Kane County
★4.5(347)Local beef supplier in Kane County, Illinois. 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 Kane County, Illinois
2 local suppliers selling bulk beef in the Kane County area. Prices in Illinois typically range $9.00-11.00/lb per pound.
Avg. Rating
4.5 stars
412 reviews
Half Cow Cost
$2,000-2,500
in Illinois
Best Season
September-November
peak availability
Hanging Weight
$4.25-6.95/lb
before processing
When to Buy in Illinois
Fall harvest is optimal but deer hunting season (late November through mid-December) creates severe processing bottlenecks. Most lockers stop taking beef during firearm deer season. Book processing 6-12 months in advance and aim for September-October harvest to avoid the crunch.
2 Suppliers in Kane County
Farm
Barrington Natural Farms
Kane County
★4.5(65)Local beef supplier in Kane County, Illinois. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsLocal Tip for Illinois Buyers
The 'beef-on-dairy' trend is your friend in Illinois. Beef-cross calves from dairy operations in Clinton and Stephenson counties often grade Choice or Prime with superior marbling, yet trade at a discount to purebred Angus. For Chicago buyers, the Chicago Meat Collective offers whole-animal butchery education and smaller shares for apartment dwellers.
Frequently Asked Questionsabout buying beef in Illinois
01
What does half a cow cost in Illinois?
A half cow in Illinois typically costs $2,000-2,500 total. This breaks down to $4.25-5.50/lb hanging weight for grain-finished beef (higher for grass-fed), plus $75 slaughter fee and $0.85-1.25/lb processing. Your take-home yield is about 60-65% of hanging weight, making the effective cost $9-11/lb for all cuts combined.
02
Why should I avoid buying beef during deer season in Illinois?
Illinois firearm deer seasons (late November through mid-December) overwhelm local meat processors. Many small lockers physically cannot handle beef during these weeks—they convert entirely to venison processing for thousands of hunter-harvested deer. Plan your beef slaughter for before mid-November or wait until January.
03
What's the difference between grass-fed and grass-finished beef in Illinois?
In Illinois, 'grass-fed' can describe cattle that started on grass but finished on grain (the standard model). 'Grass-finished' or '100% grass-fed' means the animal ate only forage its entire life. Grain-finished beef has milder flavor and consistent marbling. Grass-finished has a more mineral-rich, robust flavor and often yellowish fat from beta-carotene.
04
What is beef-on-dairy and is it worth buying?
Beef-on-dairy crosses are Holstein cows bred to Angus or Simmental bulls. They combine dairy cattle's efficient metabolism (which promotes marbling) with beef genetics for improved carcass quality. These animals often grade Choice or Prime and trade at a 15-30% discount to purebred beef. For value-conscious buyers in dairy-heavy areas like Clinton County, they're an excellent choice.