Farm
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.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsBuy Half a Cow in Exeter, Rhode Island
3 local suppliers selling bulk beef in the Exeter area. Prices in Rhode Island typically range $11.00-12.00/lb per pound.
Avg. Rating
4.9 stars
71 reviews
Half Cow Cost
$2,599-2,899
in Rhode Island
Best Season
August-November
peak availability
Hanging Weight
$5.50-8.45/lb
before processing
When to Buy in Rhode Island
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.
3 Suppliers in Exeter
Farm
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.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsFarm
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.
Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
Farm Pickup
View DetailsExeter Supplier Breakdown
Supplier Types
- 3 Farms
Sourcing Options
Delivery Options
- 3 offer Farm Pickup
Local Tip for Rhode Island Buyers
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.
Other Cities in Rhode Island
Frequently Asked Questionsabout 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.