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New Salem
★5.0(8)Local beef supplier in New Salem, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Quick Answer
Half a cow in North Dakota costs $1,800-2,400 ($8.50-10.50/lb per pound take-home). There are 39 local suppliers to choose from. Best time to buy: September-November. Most beef is grain-finished.
North Dakota maintains approximately 1.8 million cattle with a strong cow-calf sector that benefits from vast open rangelands. The state's low population density means cattle outnumber people nearly 2:1. The harsh continental climate (-40°F winters, short summers) shapes production, favoring hardy genetics and creating distinct seasonality in the beef supply.
Half cow: $1,800-2,400
Hanging weight: $4.00-5.50/lb
Take-home: $8.50-10.50/lb
Peak season: September-November
Fall harvest (September-November) is optimal when cattle come off summer grazing at peak condition before the brutal winter. The short grazing season (May-October) means animals must gain weight rapidly. Winter feeding costs are substantial, so most ranchers process before deep winter unless finishing on grain.
Black Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental
Typical practice: Grain-finished
North Dakota's extreme cold is actually an advantage for beef storage - many residents simply store beef in unheated garages or outbuildings during winter months, though 'garage ready' freezers are recommended for temperature fluctuations. The state's ranch culture means direct-to-consumer sales are common and socially accepted.
New Salem
★5.0(8)Local beef supplier in New Salem, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Pierpont
★5.0(4)Local beef supplier in Pierpont, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Bottineau
★5.0(19)Local beef supplier in Bottineau, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Center
★5.0(3)Local beef supplier in Center, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Bonesteel
★5.0(4)Local beef supplier in Bonesteel, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Stanley
★5.0(3)Local beef supplier in Stanley, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Spiritwood
★5.0(4)Local beef supplier in Spiritwood, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Center
★5.0(20)Local beef supplier in Center, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Wilton
★5.0(13)Local beef supplier in Wilton, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Goodwin
★5.0(10)Local beef supplier in Goodwin, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
McLeod
★5.0(5)Local beef supplier in McLeod, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Estelline
★5.0(3)Local beef supplier in Estelline, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Saint Anthony
★5.0(3)Local beef supplier in Saint Anthony, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Fargo
★4.9(552)Local beef supplier in Fargo, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Pryor
★4.9(77)Local beef supplier in Pryor, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Rapid City
★4.9(223)Local beef supplier in Rapid City, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Grand Forks
★4.9(282)Local beef supplier in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Parshall
★4.9(54)Local beef supplier in Parshall, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Pingree
★4.9(19)Local beef supplier in Pingree, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Valley City
★4.9(96)Local beef supplier in Valley City, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Bismarck
★4.8(419)Local beef supplier in Bismarck, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
McKenzie
★4.8(45)Local beef supplier in McKenzie, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Williston
★4.8(215)Local beef supplier in Williston, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Mandan
★4.8(217)Local beef supplier in Mandan, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Devils Lake
★4.8(28)Local beef supplier in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Moffit
★4.8(26)Local beef supplier in Moffit, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beulah
★4.8(31)Local beef supplier in Beulah, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Williston
★4.8(90)Local beef supplier in Williston, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Fargo
★4.7(200)Local beef supplier in Fargo, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Minot
★4.6(66)Local beef supplier in Minot, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Bismarck
★4.5(10)Local beef supplier in Bismarck, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Rapid City
★4.5(271)Local beef supplier in Rapid City, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Ipswich
★4.4(13)Local beef supplier in Ipswich, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Bismarck
★4.4(42)Local beef supplier in Bismarck, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Bowman
★4.3(6)Local beef supplier in Bowman, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Local beef supplier in Nisland, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Richardton
Local beef supplier in Richardton, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Hazen
Local beef supplier in Hazen, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Cavalier
Local beef supplier in Cavalier, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Explore suppliers in neighboring states - many offer delivery or are worth the drive.
A half cow in North Dakota costs $1,800-2,400 total - often below national averages due to abundant local production and lower land costs. Expect $4.00-5.50/lb hanging weight, plus $60 kill share and $0.95/lb processing. Take-home yield is about 200-230 lbs, making effective cost $8.50-10.50/lb.
The extreme continental climate (-40°F winters, short 5-month grazing season) shapes everything. Cattle must gain weight rapidly in summer, and winter feeding costs are substantial. Most ranchers harvest in fall before deep winter. However, the cold is an advantage for storage - you can keep beef in an unheated garage for months.
Pure 100% grass-finished is limited due to the short grazing season (May-October). Most 'grass-fed' beef in ND is actually 'grass-fed, grain-finished' - cattle spend summer on pasture then receive grain supplementation in fall for finishing. True grass-finished requires careful planning around the brief growing season.
Yes, with caveats. Chest freezers generally work in cold garages, but extreme cold (below 0°F) can cause problems - when ambient temperature drops below the freezer's thermostat setting, the compressor stops and the freezer can actually warm up. 'Garage Ready' freezers have heaters to prevent this. During the coldest months, some residents unplug the freezer entirely.
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