Fall 2026 Sold Out

Buying a Beef Share: What to Expect

From order to pickup

  1. Reserve your share

    A deposit holds your share: $150 for a quarter, $250 for a half, $500 for a whole. Deposits are usually non-refundable, and they come off your final balance.

  2. Harvest, October/November

    Matt's Custom Meats does the slaughter at the ranch, which is less stressful for the cattle. The beef then goes to their facility in Longview, WA and ages 14 to 21 days.

  3. Cutting instructions, during aging

    Matt's Custom Meats calls you to walk through the cut sheet. You choose steak thickness, steaks per package, roast sizes, ground beef package size, and bone-in or boneless. You can also ask for organ meats or soup bones.

  4. Balance, within 5 days

    We send a Square invoice once we know the actual hanging weight. It is that weight times the per-pound price, minus your deposit.

  5. Pickup, about 3 weeks after drop-off

    Pick up your vacuum-sealed beef at Matt's Custom Meats in Longview, WA, about 50 miles from the ranch. Bring coolers, and bring help loading if you have a half or whole. Pay the processing fee to them by cash or check. Get the beef into a freezer the same day.

What you can and cannot change

You choose

  • Steak thickness
  • Package sizes for steaks, roasts, and ground beef
  • Bone-in or boneless on most cuts
  • Organ meats and soup bones, if you ask ahead of time

Fixed

  • The cuts that come from your share. You cannot swap ribeyes for more ground beef.
  • Vacuum-sealed packaging. Matt's Custom Meats does not offer butcher paper.
  • Dry aging, 14 to 21 days.

Every package has the cut labeled on it. Plan for roughly 40-50 packages from a half and 20-25 from a quarter.

Who you pay, and for what

You pay Tucker Creek Ranch

Hanging weight times the per-pound price: $5.95 for a quarter, $5.85 for a half, $5.75 for a whole.

You pay Matt's Custom Meats

Hanging weight times $1.10, plus $50 for each quarter of the animal.

Example: a half at 370 lbs hanging weight costs $2,165 with us, less your $250 deposit. Processing adds $507 with Matt's Custom Meats. The total is $2,672. Full breakdown.

Common questions

What if I don't know what cuts to choose?
Ask Matt's Custom Meats for their standard cut sheet when they call. It mixes steaks, roasts, and ground beef in proportions that suit most families. You can change it next year once you know what you use.
Can I change or cancel after reserving?
Contact us as early as you can. Deposits are usually non-refundable, but we work with people in genuine emergencies.
Can I pick up at the ranch?
No. We process all beef at Matt's Custom Meats in Longview, WA. You pick it up there.
What if I can't make pickup day?
Tell Matt's Custom Meats as soon as you know. They may be able to hold your beef for a day or two, but not longer.
Do I need a freezer first?
Yes. Have it set up and running before pickup day. See the freezer space guides for how much room each share needs.

Fall 2026 beef shares are sold out

Send us a note and we'll get back to you when next season's shares open.

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