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Buy Half a Cow in West Virginia

Quick Answer

Half a cow in West Virginia costs $2,000-2,500 ($8.77-11.03/lb per pound take-home). There are 35 local suppliers to choose from. Best time to buy: May-July or October-November. Most farms offer grass-fed beef.

West Virginia occupies a distinct niche within the U.S. beef crisis. Unlike corn-dependent feedlot systems, West Virginia's beef economy is predicated on the cow-calf model dictated by rugged Appalachian geography. The state's topography - steep hillsides, narrow valleys, and non-arable land - is ideally suited for forage production. West Virginia maintains approximately 365,000 head with production concentrated in the Greenbrier Valley and Potomac Highlands on limestone-rich soils that produce nutrient-dense forages.

35 Suppliers
$4.50-5.50/lb Hanging Weight
May-July or October-November Best Season
35 Farm Pickup

Buying Bulk Beef in West Virginia: Expert Guide

Pricing

Half cow: $2,000-2,500

Hanging weight: $4.50-5.50/lb

Take-home: $8.77-11.03/lb

Best Time to Buy

Peak season: May-July or October-November

The Spring Flush (May-July) produces premium grass-fed beef when cattle graze lush, rapidly growing grasses with high sugars and beta-carotene. Fall harvest (October-November) offers consistent quality at peak weight before winter. Avoid late winter grass-fed (February-April) unless farmer has exceptional stored forage. The 'Deer Blackout' (November-January) severely limits processing.

Common Breeds

Black Angus, Hereford, Simmental, Murray Grey, Scottish Highland

Typical practice: Grass-fed

Local Tip

The Greenbrier Valley is the 'Napa Valley' of West Virginia beef - limestone soils allow for high-density stocking and superior grass-finishing. When interviewing farmers, ask if they harvest during the Spring Flush for the yellowest fat and most complex flavor. Murray Grey cattle are moderate-framed and marble well on grass - ideal for manageable share sizes.

Top Production Regions

Greenbrier Valley (Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas)Potomac Highlands (Hardy, Hampshire, Pendleton)Metro Valley (Kanawha, Putnam, Mason)North Central (Monongalia, Preston)

Browse by City

35 Suppliers in West Virginia

Farm

A&M Farms Grass Fed Beef

Hillsville

5.0(7)

Local beef supplier in Hillsville, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farm

Back Creek Beef

Hedgesville

5.0(3)

Local beef supplier in Hedgesville, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Natural
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Farm

Caring Acres Farm, LLC

Lewisburg

5.0(5)

Local beef supplier in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farm

Chapel Creek Farms

Montvale

5.0(44)

Local beef supplier in Montvale, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
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Farm

Local beef supplier in Bent Mountain, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Pike Mountain Farm

Reedsville

5.0(10)

Local beef supplier in Reedsville, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Natural
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Farm

Quicken Farm

Shanks

5.0(5)

Local beef supplier in Shanks, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farm

Renick Valley Meats

Renick

5.0(19)

Local beef supplier in Renick, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Butcher

Local beef supplier in Harts, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farm

Sarver Heritage Farm

Ronceverte

5.0(5)

Local beef supplier in Ronceverte, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farm

Smith Family Farm

Gainesville

5.0(10)

Local beef supplier in Gainesville, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Natural
1/4 Cow · 1/2 Cow · Whole Cow
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Butcher

Local beef supplier in Elkins, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Three D Ranch, LLC

Burgettstown

5.0(12)

Local beef supplier in Burgettstown, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Triple E Farms LLC

Romney

5.0(145)

Local beef supplier in Romney, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Tuscarora Farm

Martinsburg

5.0(3)

Local beef supplier in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Back Creek Bend Farm

Hedgesville

4.9(21)

Local beef supplier in Hedgesville, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Capon Crossing Farm

Wardensville

4.9(37)

Local beef supplier in Wardensville, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farm

Kinloch Farm Store

The Plains

4.9(18)

Local beef supplier in The Plains, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Mountain Steer Meat Company

White Sulphur Springs

4.9(10)

Local beef supplier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Possum Tail Farm

Terra Alta

4.9(10)

Local beef supplier in Terra Alta, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Birch Creek Farmery

Burgettstown

4.8(69)

Local beef supplier in Burgettstown, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Crestview Meat Market

Martinsburg

4.8(439)

Local beef supplier in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farmer's Daughter Market & Butcher

Capon Bridge

4.8(248)

Local beef supplier in Capon Bridge, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Natural
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Flying W Farms

Burlington

4.8(97)

Local beef supplier in Burlington, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Lost River Butcher Block

Lost River

4.8(45)

Local beef supplier in Lost River, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Miklas Meat Market

Wheeling

4.8(154)

Local beef supplier in Wheeling, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Riffle Farms

Terra Alta

4.8(20)

Local beef supplier in Terra Alta, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Spring House Farm Store

Hamilton

4.8(48)

Local beef supplier in Hamilton, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Village Butcher and Market

Morgantown

4.8(109)

Local beef supplier in Morgantown, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Teets Cattle Company

Lost River

4.7(14)

Local beef supplier in Lost River, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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The Butcher Shop

Huntington

4.7(35)

Local beef supplier in Huntington, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

🐄
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Johnnies Fresh Meats

Charleston

4.6(82)

Local beef supplier in Charleston, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Farm

Local beef supplier in Ona, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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Black Diamond Ranch, LLC

New Castle

4.2(6)

Local beef supplier in New Castle, West Virginia. Contact them directly for current availability and pricing on bulk beef purchases.

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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 West Virginia

01

What does half a cow cost in West Virginia?

A half cow in West Virginia costs $2,000-2,500 total. At $4.50-5.50/lb hanging weight (360 lbs), you pay the farmer $1,620-1,980, plus $40-50 slaughter fee (split) and $324-414 processing ($0.90-1.15/lb). Your take-home yield is about 230 lbs, making effective cost $8.77-11.03/lb. This delivers ribeyes and filet mignon at ground beef prices.

02

Why can't I get beef processed during deer season in West Virginia?

The 'Deer Blackout' runs from early November through mid-January. West Virginia's massive deer hunting season overwhelms local meat processors - they switch almost entirely to venison processing. If you want beef for Thanksgiving or Christmas, schedule slaughter by late October at the latest, or plan for February pickup.

03

What makes Greenbrier Valley beef special?

The Greenbrier Valley sits on karst limestone formations that naturally buffer soil acidity and promote nutrient-dense forages like clover, orchardgrass, and fescue. Cattle grazing these limestone-based soils develop stronger skeletal structures and more complex flavor profiles. It's West Virginia's premier beef-producing region, sometimes called the 'Napa Valley' of Appalachian beef.

04

What is 'grain-on-grass' beef?

Cattle spend their lives on pasture but receive a bucket of grain daily for the final 90-120 days. This creates a hybrid product: the lifestyle of a pastured animal with the white, firm fat and milder flavor of grain-finished beef. It's often the best entry point for consumers transitioning from supermarket beef to local products.

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