Farm
Sonny's Meat Market
Edison
★4.9(203)Local beef supplier in Edison, New Jersey. 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 Edison, New Jersey
2 local suppliers selling bulk beef in the Edison area. Prices in New Jersey typically range $9.00-10.00/lb per pound.
Avg. Rating
4.9 stars
418 reviews
Half Cow Cost
$2,300-2,500
in New Jersey
Best Season
August-October
peak availability
Hanging Weight
$4.80-5.00/lb
before processing
When to Buy in New Jersey
The optimal harvest window is late summer to early fall (August through October) when cattle have spent the majority of the grazing season on high-quality pasture. Spring Flush (April-June) produces rapid weight gain; Summer Slump (July-August) sees grasses go dormant; Fall Rebound (September-October) restores pasture quality. Book 6-12 months ahead due to severe processing bottlenecks.
2 Suppliers in Edison
Farm
Nick's Meat Depot
Edison
★4.8(215)Local beef supplier in Edison, New Jersey. 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 New Jersey Buyers
Consider heritage breeds like Randall Lineback or Dexter if you have limited freezer space - a half beef from these smaller-framed breeds hangs at 200-225 lbs versus 350-400 lbs for Angus, requiring half the storage with a lower total cash outlay ($1,300-1,500). The 'Amish Valve' through Lancaster County Pennsylvania provides an alternative supply when NJ farms are sold out.
Other Cities in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questionsabout buying beef in New Jersey
01
What does half a cow cost in New Jersey?
A half cow in New Jersey costs $2,300-2,500 total. At $5.00/lb hanging weight (360 lbs), you pay about $1,800 to the farmer, plus $75 slaughter fee and $360 processing ($1.00/lb), totaling ~$2,325. With vacuum sealing ($90), your effective take-home cost is $9.94/lb for approximately 234 lbs of meat. This makes premium cuts like ribeye and filet cost the same as ground beef.
02
Why is processing such a challenge in New Jersey?
New Jersey has only ~16 federally inspected facilities versus 80+ in neighboring Pennsylvania. This creates a severe bottleneck where farmers must book slaughter dates 6-12 months in advance, often transporting livestock 200-300 miles round-trip. This scheduling rigidity means bulk beef is rarely 'on-demand' - you must reserve months ahead.
03
What's the difference between Custom Exempt and USDA inspected beef?
USDA-inspected meat can be sold by the cut at retail. Custom Exempt meat is processed without an inspector present - legal because you technically purchase the live animal (or share) before slaughter. The meat is stamped 'Not for Sale' and is only for your household and non-paying guests. This is the standard for most NJ bulk beef transactions.
04
Are heritage breed cattle worth the premium in New Jersey?
Heritage breeds like Randall Lineback and Dexter offer unique advantages: smaller carcasses (200-225 lb half vs 350-400 lb for Angus) fit in smaller freezers, require lower total investment ($1,300-1,500 vs $2,300+), and offer distinct 'terroir' flavors. The trade-off is fewer cuts per purchase, but meat-to-bone ratio is often excellent.