Farm
6 in 1 Meats
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.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsBuy Half a Cow in North Dakota
How Much Does Half a Cow Cost in North Dakota?
Half a cow in North Dakota costs $1,800-2,400 ($8.50-10.50/lb take-home). There are 33 local suppliers to choose from. Best time to buy: September-November. Most beef is grain-finished.
Jump to the 33 suppliers ↓See the full half a cow price breakdown →Why Half a Cow Costs $1,800-2,400 in North Dakota
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.
33 Suppliers
$4.00-5.50/lb Hanging Weight
September-November Best Season
32 Farm Pickup
6 Local Delivery
Buying Bulk Beef in North Dakota: Expert Guide
Pricing
Half cow: $1,800-2,400
Hanging weight: $4.00-5.50/lb
Take-home: $8.50-10.50/lb
Best Time to Buy
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.
Common Breeds
Black Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Charolais, Simmental
Typical practice: Grain-finished
Local Tip
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.
Top Production Regions
Southwest ND Ranch CountryCentral ND (Bismarck/Mandan)Red River ValleyMissouri SlopeBadlands Region
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Let us find you a farm in North Dakota
We'll connect you with a nearby farm, butcher, or co-op selling quarter, half, or whole beef. Free, no accounts, and only one farm gets your contact details.
33 Suppliers in North Dakota
These farms have half a beef for sale in North Dakota — most also sell 1/2 and 1/4 cow shares direct from the farm, priced by hanging weight.
Farm
Bartlett Farms
Bottineau
5.0(19)Local beef supplier in Bottineau, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Grass-FedGrass-FinishedDelivery
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm PickupLocal Delivery
View DetailsFarm
Brown's Angus Ranch
Center
5.0(3)Local beef supplier in Center, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
E & E Beef Company
Stanley
5.0(3)Family-owned ranch near Stanley, North Dakota. Cattle are born on the ranch, raised mainly on forage, then finished on grain. The online store takes pre-orders for a whole beef and sells individual cuts and bundles.
Beef
$$Grain-FinishedDelivery
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm PickupLocal Delivery
View DetailsFarm
Elston Beef
Spiritwood
5.0(4)Local beef supplier in Spiritwood, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Legendary Meats
Center
5.0(20)Local beef supplier in Center, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Pearson's Green Acre Meats
Wilton
5.0(13)Local beef supplier in Wilton, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Sandhills Family Farm
McLeod
5.0(5)Local beef supplier in McLeod, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Tokach Angus Ranch
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.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Alsager Meats
Fargo
4.9(552)Local beef supplier in Fargo, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
L & M Meats, INC
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.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Myers' Meats & Specialties
Parshall
4.9(54)Local beef supplier in Parshall, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
The Bison Ranch Lodge & Outfitters
Pingree
4.9(19)Local beef supplier in Pingree, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Valley Meat Supply Inc.
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.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
3Be Meats
Bismarck
4.8(419)Local beef supplier in Bismarck, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Black Leg Ranch
McKenzie
4.8(45)Local beef supplier in McKenzie, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Grass-FedGrass-Finished
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Broken Horn Meats
Williston
4.8(215)Local beef supplier in Williston, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsButcher
Butcher Block Meats
Mandan
4.8(217)Local beef supplier in Mandan, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Lakeside Meats
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.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Schweitzer's Gourmet Meats
Moffit
4.8(26)Local beef supplier in Moffit, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
NaturalDelivery
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm PickupLocal Delivery
View DetailsFarm
The Meat Shop
Beulah
4.8(31)Local beef supplier in Beulah, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Yellowstone River Beef
Williston
4.8(90)Local beef supplier in Williston, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Prime Cut Meats
Fargo
4.7(200)Local beef supplier in Fargo, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
The Meat Company
Minot
4.6(66)Local beef supplier in Minot, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Browns Ranch
Bismarck
4.5(10)Local beef supplier in Bismarck, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Grass-FedGrass-Finished
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
West Dakota Meats
Bismarck
4.4(42)Local beef supplier in Bismarck, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsButcher
Spruce Hill Meats LLC
Bowman
4.3(6)Spruce Hill Meats is a family-owned USDA-inspected custom processor and retail meat shop in Bowman, North Dakota. It sells locally raised beef and pork cuts and processes producers’ livestock. Contact the shop for current products and processing arrangements. Its reviewed public pages do not establish direct quarter, half or whole beef sales.
Beef · Pork
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Dakota Graz’d
Alexander
Dakota Graz’d, operated by the Rider family, offers grass-fed, grass-finished beef halves and wholes, plus quarter bundles. Ranch pickup is by appointment and local delivery is available by arrangement. The map marks approximate Alexander locality because published street numbers conflict; confirm the entrance and harvest date.
Beef
Grass-FedGrass-FinishedDelivery
1/8 Cow · 1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow +1 more
Farm PickupLocal Delivery
View DetailsFarm
Glimpse of the Prairie
Menoken
This Menoken ranch offers quarter, half and whole beef raised on grass and finished on grain. Contact the farm to book a share and arrange collection; its published booking note still says 2024, so confirm the next processing date.
Beef
Grain-Finished
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Messer Family Farm
Richardton
Local beef supplier in Richardton, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Grass-FedGrass-Finished
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Odermann Cattle Company
Belfield
Family cattle ranch north of Belfield offering quarter, half and whole beef. Shares are processed at Sturgis Meat Company; the ranch arranges home delivery, with possible distance charges. Email for current allocation and delivery arrangements. Map is an approximate Belfield locality point, not the ranch entrance.
Beef
Delivery
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Local Delivery
View DetailsFarm
Seek First Ranch
Hazen
Local beef supplier in Hazen, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
Grass-FedGrass-Finished
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
Stegman Ranch
Cavalier
Local beef supplier in Cavalier, North Dakota. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Beef
NaturalDelivery
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm PickupLocal Delivery
View DetailsBulk Beef in Nearby States
Explore suppliers in neighboring states - many offer delivery or are worth the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying Beef in North Dakota
01
What does half a cow cost in North Dakota?
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.
02
How does North Dakota's climate affect beef production?
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.
03
Is grass-fed beef available in North Dakota?
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.
04
Can I keep a freezer in my North Dakota garage?
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.
Buying Guides & Tools
First-Time Buyer's Guide
Everything you need to know
Beef Cuts Guide
What cuts you'll actually get
Cut Sheet Guide
How to customize your order
Half vs Quarter Cow
Compare share sizes and costs
Grass-Fed vs Grain-Finished
Understand the real differences
Freezer Space Guide
How much space you'll need
Bulk Beef vs Grocery
See the real cost comparison
Price Calculator
Estimate your total cost