Question 1

Why is the price a range and not a fixed number?

Accepted Answer

Beef shares are priced on estimated hanging weight, which is the carcass weight after harvest. Every animal comes in a little different, so we quote you a low and high estimate up front. You pay a deposit now, and the balance is calculated once the real hanging weight is known. Nothing is locked in until the animal is on the rail.

Question 2

What am I actually paying Yellowstone for?

Accepted Answer

You pay Yellowstone for the meat itself, by the pound on hanging weight. That is it. Processing (cut, wrap, cure, smoke) is paid directly to Innovative Foods in Evans, Colorado when you pick up. We show you an estimated processing cost on this page so you can plan, but that money never runs through us.

Question 3

Why does the quarter share cost more per pound than the whole?

Accepted Answer

Smaller shares take more coordination on our end and more work at the processor, so the per-pound price is higher. If you want the lowest per-pound cost, go with a whole or split a whole with another family.

Question 4

Can I see sample cut breakdowns?

Accepted Answer

For a half beef, you will get roughly 85 lbs of ground, 45 lbs of steaks (ribeyes, NY strips, sirloin), and 75 lbs of roasts. For a whole, double those numbers. A quarter is about half of a half. Exact amounts depend on the cut sheet decisions you make with Tammy at Innovative Foods.

Question 5

How does the deposit work?

Accepted Answer

You place a deposit through Stripe to reserve your spot. The deposit is applied to your final meat balance. If you cancel before we group your share with a specific animal, the deposit is fully refundable. Once an animal is grouped and scheduled, deposits are non-refundable because we have committed to that animal for you.

Question 6

How long until I get my meat?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where the animals are in their growth cycle. We pull the estimate on this page straight from the herd, so it is the best number we have. We will keep you posted as your animal moves through finishing and scheduling.

Question 7

Do I have to fill out a cut sheet?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and Tammy at Innovative Foods will walk you through it. She emails you the sheet and is happy to talk through options on the phone if you have never done one.

Question 8

What if I don't have enough freezer space?

Accepted Answer

Use the calculator above. If you are tight, drop to a smaller share, split with another family, or grab a small chest freezer (about $250 to $400 at most appliance stores). If you want us to help you think it through, the calculator has a button to send Ian a note.

Question 9

Where do I pick up?

Accepted Answer

Meat shares are picked up at Innovative Foods in Evans, Colorado. Tammy will text and call you when your share is ready with a pickup window. Eggs are picked up at the farm, which is a separate spot.

Question 10

How do I pay the balance?

Accepted Answer

The remaining meat balance is charged through Stripe once we have the real hanging weight. Processing is paid directly to Innovative Foods at pickup. Yellowstone is Stripe only. No cash, check, or Venmo on our side.

Reserve a Beef Share

Pick a size. We will price the real thing after harvest.

1/4 Beef

1/2 Beef

Whole Beef

From reservation
to your freezer

Pick your share size

Place your deposit

We group your share

Cut sheet with the processor

Final invoice based on hanging weight

Pick up at Innovative Foods

How much meat do we actually need?

A rough breakdown of what you take home

Typical cuts included

What you will need to know