Half A Penny Farm LLC
Barnstead
★5.0(6)Local beef supplier in Barnstead, New Hampshire. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
2 local suppliers selling bulk beef in the Barnstead area. Prices in New Hampshire typically range $11.00-14.00/lb per pound.
Fall harvest (September-December) is optimal when cattle have grazed sugar-rich summer pastures. Book 6-12 months in advance as processing capacity is severely limited. Spring/summer beef is available but may be leaner from winter hay feeding.
Barnstead
★5.0(6)Local beef supplier in Barnstead, New Hampshire. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Barnstead
★4.4(19)Local beef supplier in Barnstead, New Hampshire. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Heritage breeds like Scottish Highland and Belted Galloway are New Hampshire signatures - they developed double coats for cold weather and don't need thick backfat for warmth, producing leaner, higher-yielding carcasses. The meat has intense, earthy flavor. Cuts are smaller than commercial breeds but meat-to-bone ratio is excellent.
A half cow in New Hampshire costs $2,600-3,400 total - premium pricing reflects Boston market proximity and limited supply. Expect $5.50-8.00/lb hanging weight depending on breed and production method. Add $85 slaughter share and $1.25/lb processing. Take-home yield is about 200-230 lbs, making effective cost $11-14/lb.
Three factors: (1) proximity to Boston creates premium market demand, (2) limited farmland and high land costs restrict production scale, (3) severe processing bottlenecks from only a few USDA facilities. The trade-off is exceptional quality, traceability, and access to heritage breeds rarely found elsewhere.
Heritage breeds like Scottish Highland and Belted Galloway were developed for harsh climates. They have double coats for cold weather, so they don't need thick backfat - producing leaner, higher-yielding carcasses. The meat has intense, earthy flavor distinct from commercial Angus. Cuts are smaller but meat-to-bone ratio is excellent.
Plan 6-12 months ahead. New Hampshire has very limited processing capacity, with only a handful of USDA-inspected facilities serving the entire state. Popular farms sell out quickly. Contact farms in early spring to reserve a fall harvest slot. Your best chance for faster beef is getting on cancellation waitlists.