Where to Begin?
A live 300 lb hog yields a hanging weight of 216 lbs (108 lbs per half). Hanging weight is the weight once the hog is slaughtered and organs are removed. This hanging weight includes the bones, head, cartilage, skin and other bits. Not all of this is edible so once removed you are left with 140-150 lbs (70-75 lbs per half) of meat for your freezer. Though the lard can be rendered and is a great natural cooking oil and the bones can be used to make bone broth and stock. We recommend getting those back as well but it's all up to you.
What Sort of Cuts Will You Get?
Whether half a hog or whole, the meat is the same but quantity is different. Here is a breakdown of the average pounds of cuts half versus whole.
Half Hog:
Tenderloin: 1 lbs
Loin/Chops: 12 lbs
Bacon: 8-10 lbs
Ribs: 3lbs
Roasts: 12 lbs
Sausage: 6 lbs
Ham: 15 lbs
Smoked Hocks: 5 lbs
Depending on the cuts you select, you will get 70-80% of your hanging weight in consumable meat.
Whole Hog:
Tenderloin: 2 lbs
Loin/Chops: 24 lbs
Bacon: 18-20 lbs
Ribs: 6 lbs
Roasts: 24 lbs
Sausage: 12 lbs
Ham: 30 lbs
Smoked Hocks 10 lbs
Depending on the cuts, you select, you will get 0-80 % of your hanging weight in consumable meat.
Cut Options and Choices:
Roasts Boston Butt Roast Pork Steaks
Ground Pork Cottage Bacon Bacon
Jowl Bacon Canadian Bacon Bratwurst (Flavor Options)
Cutlets Fresh Side Pork Loin Roast
Pork Chops Breakfast Sausage Sausage Links
Lard Smoked Ham Fresh Ham
Head Organ Meats Bones
Smoked Ham Hocks Fresh Ham Hocks....
Just to give a few ideas, our butcher can help with ideas and options.
How Long Will It Last?
Use the chart below to calculate how long a 1/2 hog will last for your household. Keep in mind that your pork will maintain quality for at least 6 month in your freezer.
Equivalent Adult Consumers: 2 Adults 3 Adults 4 Adults 5 Adults
Light Pork Consumption: 11 Months 7 Months 5 Months 4 Months
Moderate Pork Consumption: 9 Months 6 Months 4 Months 3.5 Months
Staple Diet Pork Consumption: 7 Months 5 Months 3 Months 10 Weeks
Based on average annual American Pork Consumption of 50 pounds per person.
Use the chart below to calculate how long a whole hog will last for your household. Keep in mind that your pork will maintain quality for at least 6 months in your freezer.
Equivalent Adult Consumers: 2 Adults 3 Adults 4 Adults 5 Adults
Light Pork Consumption: 22 Months 14 Months 10 Months 8 Months
Moderate Pork Consumption: 18 Months 12 Months 8 Months 7 Months
Staple Diet Pork Consumption: 14 Months 10 Months 6 Months 20 Weeks
Based on average annual American Pork Consumption of 50 pounds per person.
How Much Freezer Space Do I Need?
A general rule is you need 1 cubic foot of freezer space for every 15-20 lbs of meat. For reverence, the interior of a milk crate is slightly more than a cubic foot. For a half hog you need 3.5 cubic feet and for a whole hog you will need 7 cubic feet.
How Much Does A Half Or Whole Hog Cost?
We Charge $6.50 per pound plus butcher fees, which very based on how you chose to have it processed. Processing on average for a whole hog is $200, and a half hog on average is $100. A $100 deposit MUST be paid to secure your pig. Your deposit amount will then be deducted from the total once your pork is ready to pick up. The remaining balance is due upon pickup. Pickup is typically 4-6 weeks after slaughter-this is due to the curing time required for bacon and hams. Pickup is at the farm-we will pick up your pork from our processor.
How Do I Select The Cuts Of Meat I Want- How Do I Know What I Can Choose?
You get to have your meat butchered the way you want it. Although as much as you like bacon, keep in mind only 10% of a hog can be made into bacon-there are additional options such as Canadian, Jowl, and Cottage.
If you prefer larger packs of bacon to feed your family on a Sunday morning then you can do that. Prefer thick cut bacon, you can get that as well. You have the option of nitrite/nitrate free cured meats or with added nitrite/nitrates. Hams the size you need for holiday dinners.
You will be in direct contact with our processor providing your request. You're in good hands through the entire process!
Can I Order A Side Of Pork Anytime?
We only offer this opportunity 2 times a year to purchase a half/whole hog. Unlike the quick growing time needed for poultry, it takes approximately 8 months to grow our heritage breed hogs to size.
Because the availability is limited to the number of hogs we have each batch, we generally sell out quickly.
Just try saying it out loud and feel how good it sounds.. "I gotta go pick up my pork" and then enjoy the convenience of having a freezer full of melt-in-your-mouth pasture raised pork chops, ribs, ham and bacon.
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