Farm
Maxwell Custom Beef
Des Moines
★5.0(19)Local beef supplier in Des Moines, Iowa. 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 Des Moines, Iowa
4 local suppliers selling bulk beef in the Des Moines area. Prices in Iowa typically range $8.00-10.50/lb per pound.
Avg. Rating
4.9 stars
159 reviews
Half Cow Cost
$1,800-2,400
in Iowa
Best Season
September-November
peak availability
Hanging Weight
$3.75-5.50/lb
before processing
When to Buy in Iowa
Fall harvest (September-November) is optimal when cattle have finished on local grain and achieved peak marbling. Iowa's deer season (November-December) creates processing bottlenecks. Book 4-8 months in advance. Year-round availability from grain-finished operations.
4 Suppliers in Des Moines
Butcher
The Good Butcher
Des Moines
★5.0(50)Local beef supplier in Des Moines, Iowa. 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
Berkwood Farms
Des Moines
★4.8(75)Local beef supplier in Des Moines, Iowa. 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
Midwest Best Beef
Des Moines
★4.8(15)Buy in bulk and enjoy savings with 1/4 or 1/2 beef. Custom processed to your liking. Quality Midwest cattle.
NaturalDelivery
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Bulk Box
Farm PickupLocal Delivery
View DetailsDes Moines Supplier Breakdown
Supplier Types
- 3 Farms
- 1 Butcher
Sourcing Options
Delivery Options
- 4 offer Farm Pickup
- 1 offer Local Delivery
Local Tip for Iowa Buyers
The beef-on-dairy market is your value play in Iowa. Holstein-cross steers from the state's dairy operations often grade Choice or Prime with superior marbling, yet trade at a 15-25% discount to purebred beef breeds. Farms in dairy-heavy regions offer this economical option.
Frequently Asked Questionsabout buying beef in Iowa
01
What does half a cow cost in Iowa?
A half cow in Iowa costs $1,800-2,400 total - often below national averages due to abundant local corn keeping feed costs competitive. Expect $3.75-5.50/lb hanging weight for grain-finished beef. Add $60 kill share and $0.95/lb processing. Take-home yield is about 210-240 lbs, making effective cost $8-10.50/lb.
02
Why is Iowa beef so competitively priced?
Iowa is corn country - the state produces massive amounts of corn, silage, and ethanol byproducts (distillers grains) that keep cattle feed costs lower than almost anywhere else. This translates directly to lower beef prices. Iowa grain-finished beef often rivals USDA Prime at commodity prices.
03
What is beef-on-dairy and should I buy it in Iowa?
Beef-on-dairy refers to Holstein steers (from dairy operations) finished for beef. These animals marble exceptionally well due to dairy genetics and often grade Choice or Prime. They trade at 15-25% discounts to purebred Angus because of the 'dairy' stigma. For value-conscious Iowa buyers, it's an excellent choice.
04
Is grass-fed beef available in Iowa?
Yes, but it's a niche market. Iowa's agricultural dominance is in corn, so most beef is grain-finished. Grass-fed operations exist but command premium prices ($5.50-6.50/lb HW vs $3.75-4.50/lb for grain-finished). If you specifically want grass-fed, you'll need to seek out specialty producers.