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.
2 local suppliers selling bulk beef in the Center area. Prices in North Dakota typically range $8.50-10.50/lb per pound.
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.
Center
★5.0(3)Local beef supplier in Center, 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.
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.
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.