26'-27' Custom Beef Share Sizes, Cost, Value, & Edible Pounds 

Proven Value from Previous Custom Beef Seasons

 

Over the past several custom beef seasons, our shareholders have consistently received exceptional value through our Custom Beef Share program.

 

When we carefully review and analyze the actual processing data from previous years, the numbers continue to demonstrate how beneficial purchasing a custom beef share can be for families seeking premium-quality, nutrient-dense beef at a fair and transparent price.

 

Real Statistical Results from the 2025–2026 Beef Season

 

For our 2025–2026 Custom Beef Share season, our farm conducted a detailed statistical analysis using the final processing data from all completed beefs.

 

Based on Whole Beef Share averages, the results were extremely encouraging for our shareholders:

 

Average Live Weight: approximately 1,155 pounds

Average Hanging Weight: approximately 693 pounds

Average Final Edible Beef Product: approximately 502 pounds

 

Most notably, the average final total cost for Whole Beef Shareholders was approximately $4,490.

 

When calculated against the final edible beef product received, this averaged anywhere from the low $8 per pound range to the low $9 per pound range for premium 100% grassfed and grassfinished regenerative beef products.

 

In today’s marketplace, especially when compared to retail pricing for similar premium grassfed beef cuts, this represented an extraordinary value for our shareholders.

 

Balancing Exceptional Value with Farm Sustainability

 

As we move into each new season, we work carefully to balance two important responsibilities:

 

Continuing to provide shareholders with outstanding value and truly exceptional beef raised with integrity and transparency

Ensuring our pricing honestly reflects the increasing realities of operating a regenerative livestock farm committed to high standards of animal care, land stewardship, infrastructure maintenance, processing costs, and labor

 

Even with pricing increases over recent years due to rising operational expenses, agricultural inflation, and processing costs, we still believe our Custom Beef Share program remains competitively priced compared to many farms offering similar products and production methods.

 

The Reality Behind Regenerative Farming

 

Our family pours an enormous amount of time, energy, sacrifice, and financial investment into this farm operation year after year.

 

Quite honestly, our lives revolve around caring for our animals and land every single day — often without vacations or extended breaks — because we deeply believe in what we are building and the quality of food we are producing for families.

 

While we genuinely love this work, we also recognize the importance of creating a financially sustainable farming enterprise that allows us to:

 

Continue improving our farm systems

Invest in regenerative farming practices

Support our family’s livelihood

Maintain exceptional livestock care

Expand future offerings for our customers

Our Commitment to Higher Standards

 

We strongly believe the standards we maintain at Foothill Frolic Farm on Gammon Creek exceed many other operations in our category.

 

Our commitment to quality is reflected through the eleven premium standards and farming principles we openly share with customers through our farm website and educational materials.

 

Our cattle are raised entirely on chemical-free pasture with no grain finishing.

 

We remain committed to raising cattle without:

 

Chemical fly sprays

Chemical de-wormers

Chemical de-licers

Growth hormones

Routine pharmaceutical antibiotics or medications

 

In addition, our farm family is fully committed to NOT using ANY VACCINES within our cattle program for any of our approximately 250 cattle — a practice that may represent one of the rarest and most unique standards within even organic and regenerative cattle production systems.

 

Through careful holistic herd management, we rotationally graze all four of our cattle herds in a way that supports soil health, biodiversity, natural ecosystem balance, and long-term regenerative land stewardship.

 

Understanding Current Custom Beef Weight & Yield

 

As we prepare for our 2026–2027 Custom Beef Share season, we want every shareholder to clearly understand the value, costs, and expected yields associated with their purchase.

 

Our pricing structure is based on a projected live animal weight of approximately 1,150 pounds.

 

From this live weight:

 

Average Hanging Weight: approximately 690 pounds

Average Final Usable Beef Product: approximately 490 pounds

 

Because beef processing naturally results in weight loss from bone, fat trimming, and moisture reduction during aging, the final take-home weight will always be lower than the original live weight or hanging weight.

 

This is a normal and important part of producing high-quality beef.

 

2026–2027 Custom Beef Share Options

 

To better accommodate the needs of different households and families, we continue offering multiple share sizes.

 

Whole Share

Approximate Usable Beef Product: 490 pounds

Estimated Final Total Cost: $5,658

Approximate Final Cost Per Pound: $11.50/lb

Estimated Retail Savings: $2,207

 

Half Share

Approximate Usable Beef Product: 245 pounds

Estimated Final Total Cost: $2,880.75

Approximate Final Cost Per Pound: $11.75/lb

Estimated Retail Savings: $1,051.75

 

Quarter Share

Approximate Usable Beef Product: 122.5 pounds

Estimated Final Total Cost: $1,483.50

Approximate Final Cost Per Pound: $12.11/lb

Estimated Retail Savings: $482.75

 

Eighth Share

Approximate Usable Beef Product: 61.25 pounds

Estimated Final Total Cost: $763.32

Approximate Final Cost Per Pound: $12.46/lb

Estimated Retail Savings: $219.80

 

Understanding Final Shareholder Costs

 

Each shareholder’s final cost is made up of three primary components:

 

Live animal custom beef cost based on hanging weight pricing

Custom hauling and handling fees

Processing costs passed directly through to the shareholder based on actual butcher expenses

 

For the 2026–2027 season, hanging weight prices range from:

 

$7.10 per pound for WHOLE Shares

$7.25 per pound for 1/2 (HALF)Shares

$7.50 per pound for 1/4 (QUARTER) Shares

$7.75 per pound for 1/8 (EIGHTH) Shares

 

Smaller shares do not have as much bulk pricing value as the larger shares and they require additional coordination, splitting, packaging, and handling, which is reflected in the incremental pricing adjustments.

 

Retail Comparison & Shareholder Savings

 

One of the greatest benefits of purchasing a custom beef share is the exceptional overall value received across a wide variety of premium beef cuts.

 

Based on current retail comparisons:

 

Estimated retail value of beef from a full animal: approximately $7,865

Estimated retail average: approximately $16.05 per pound

 

By purchasing directly through our Custom Beef Share program, shareholders often save substantial amounts while securing a dependable supply of nutrient-dense, ethically raised beef for their household.

 

Supporting Regenerative Agriculture

 

In addition to financial value, your purchase directly supports regenerative agricultural practices that prioritize:

 

Soil health

Animal welfare

Biodiversity

Sustainable land stewardship

Ethical livestock management

Long-term ecological health

 

We remain deeply committed to producing clean, high-quality beef in harmony with nature and our local ecosystem.

 

Looking Toward the Future

 

Our long-term goal is not simply to sell beef.

 

Our vision is to build a stable, thriving regenerative farm capable of continuing to serve families with integrity for many years to come.

 

As our primary farming enterprise becomes stronger and more sustainable, it creates opportunities for us to responsibly expand and offer additional farm products produced under the same high standards and regenerative principles our customers have come to trust and additional educational farm experiences, like an accredited farm/nature school or a farm homeschool bridge program.

 

Final Thoughts & Appreciation

 

We are deeply thankful for every shareholder who supports our farm and understands the true value behind ethically and regeneratively raised food.

 

Thank you for being part of our growing community of conscientious beef shareholders.

 

If you have any questions regarding share sizes, costs, processing options, or reserving your 2026–2027 Custom Beef Share, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

With gratitude,

​

Allie Mills Neal of Foothill Frolic Farm on Gammon Creek

Premium 100% Grassfed & Grassfinished — Regenerative — Organically Raised Custom Beef Animals