Farm
Brushy Brook Farm
Hopkinton
★5.0(17)Local beef supplier in Hopkinton, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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View DetailsBuy Half a Cow in Rhode Island
Quick Answer
Half a cow in Rhode Island costs $2,599-2,899 ($11.00-12.00/lb per pound take-home). There are 25 local suppliers to choose from. Best time to buy: August-November. Most farms offer grass-fed beef.
Rhode Island presents a fascinating agricultural paradox: the smallest state possesses one of the most vibrant local food systems in the Northeast. With 1,054 farms averaging just 56 acres, agriculture thrives under intense land pressure. The USDA reports Rhode Island farm real estate values at $22,000/acre—the highest in the nation. This capital cost means RI beef producers cannot compete on volume; they compete on distinct quality attributes through direct-to-consumer sales. The result is a market characterized by high-welfare, pasture-centric, heritage-breed production that justifies premium pricing through environmental stewardship.
25 Suppliers
$5.50-8.45/lb Hanging Weight
August-November Best Season
25 Farm Pickup
Buying Bulk Beef in Rhode Island: Expert Guide
Pricing
Half cow: $2,599-2,899
Hanging weight: $5.50-8.45/lb
Take-home: $11.00-12.00/lb
Best Time to Buy
Peak season: August-November
Peak purchasing time is August through November when cattle have spent months on lush summer pastures. The 'Winter Slump' (March-April) produces leaner animals that overwintered on hay. Wild Harmony Farm schedules bulk pickups for mid-August to align with biological peak. Processing bottleneck is severe—book 6-12 months in advance. Early reservation (April-May) is critical for Fall harvest.
Common Breeds
Black Angus, Belted Galloway, Red Devon, Heritage breeds
Typical practice: Grass-fed
Local Tip
The closure of Simmons Farm (2024) after 25 years underscores tenant farmer vulnerability in RI's high-cost land market. For first-time bulk buyers, a Quarter Share from Wild Harmony Farm or Blackbird Farm offers the most manageable entry point, balancing volume with freezer capacity. Farm Fresh RI's Market Mobile platform ($38M+ in local food sales) provides aggregated access when direct bulk orders are sold out.
Top Production Regions
Aquidneck Island (Portsmouth, Middletown)Jamestown/Conanicut IslandSmithfield/Inland FarmsSouth County (Exeter, Matunuck, Westerly)
Browse by City
25 Suppliers in Rhode Island
Farm
Luckyfoot Ranch
North Kingstown
★5.0(12)Local beef supplier in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Sanford Farm
Exeter
★5.0(10)Local beef supplier in Exeter, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Serendipity Farm
Coventry
★5.0(6)Local beef supplier in Coventry, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Slate Hill Cattle Company
Portsmouth
★5.0(42)Local beef supplier in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Timberdoodle Farm
Scituate
★5.0(9)Local beef supplier in Scituate, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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White Rock Farm
Little Compton
★5.0(5)Local beef supplier in Little Compton, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Aquidneck Farms
Portsmouth
★4.9(17)Local beef supplier in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Harmony Meadows Farm
Glocester
★4.9(7)Local beef supplier in Glocester, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Wild Harmony Farm
Exeter
★4.9(23)Local beef supplier in Exeter, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Emma Acres Farm Stand
Exeter
★4.8(38)Local beef supplier in Exeter, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Martinelli's Farm & Charcuterie
Scituate
★4.8(20)Local beef supplier in Scituate, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Michael's Meats
Cumberland
★4.8(130)Local beef supplier in Cumberland, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Baffoni's Poultry Farm
Johnston
★4.7(119)Local beef supplier in Johnston, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Blackbird Farm - Rhode Island Raised Beef, Pork, Chicken and More
Smithfield
★4.7(196)Local beef supplier in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Aquidneck Meat Market Inc
Middletown
★4.6(95)Local beef supplier in Middletown, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Barrington Butchery
Barrington
★4.6(37)Local beef supplier in Barrington, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
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Confreda Greenhouses & Farms
Cranston
★4.6(905)Local beef supplier in Cranston, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Pocasset Meat Market
Providence
★4.6(20)Local beef supplier in Providence, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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The Butcher Brothers
Woonsocket
★4.6(244)Local beef supplier in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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International Meat Market
Pawtucket
★4.5(444)Local beef supplier in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Joe's Meat Market
Providence
★4.4(98)Local beef supplier in Providence, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Central Meat Market
Providence
★4.3(112)Local beef supplier in Providence, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Sunset Farm
Narragansett
★4.1(72)Local beef supplier in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
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Butcher Shop
Providence
★4.0(70)Local beef supplier in Providence, Rhode Island. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.
Natural
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Bulk Beef in Nearby States
Explore suppliers in neighboring states - many offer delivery or are worth the drive.
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying Beef in Rhode Island
01
What does half a cow cost in Rhode Island?
A half cow in Rhode Island costs $2,599-2,899 total. Using hanging weight pricing at $6.00/lb (175 lbs quarter), you pay the farmer ~$1,050, plus $35 slaughter fee (quarter share) and $1.10/lb processing (~$192), totaling ~$1,277 for a quarter. Your take-home yield is about 110 lbs, making effective cost approximately $11.61/lb—comparable to retail when including high-value cuts like tenderloin.
02
Why is Rhode Island beef so expensive?
Rhode Island farm real estate averages $22,000/acre—the highest in the nation and 5x the national average. This staggering capital cost means producers cannot compete on volume; they must compete on quality attributes through direct sales. You're paying for conservation of open space in the nation's second-most densely populated state, supporting family farms against immense development pressure.
03
What heritage breeds are available in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's small farm scale favors heritage breeds suited to intensive management. Windmist Farm raises Belted Galloway ('Oreo cows') that convert rough coastal forage without grain. Watson Farm maintains heritage Red Devon cattle descended from New England's original cattle. These breeds are smaller-framed but produce exceptionally flavored, lean beef ideal for grass-only finishing.
04
How do I handle the processing bottleneck in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's single primary red meat facility (Rhode Island Beef & Veal in Johnston) creates severe scheduling constraints. Book 6-12 months in advance, especially for fall harvest. Contact farms in April-May to secure shares. If your preferred producer can't get processing slots, they may work with Massachusetts or Connecticut facilities—ask about this during booking.
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