why quarters or sides?

Quarters and Sides provide an additional level of customization for our customers who may be interested in a higher volume of beef at each order. These customers include our restaurant partners and larger families with ample freezer space. While our boxed packages are designed to fit into small fridge or apartment-sized freezers, a quarter of beef fits comfortably into a six cubic foot chest freezer, and a side of beef would occupy approximately twice that.

First Timers

Ordering your first Quarter or Side can be very intimidating- there are a lot of factors to consider throughout the process, and a lot of guidelines and limitations to work within. However, after doing it once or twice it becomes much easier and can be very rewarding both for ordering convenience and finances.

If you are considering ordering a Quarter or Side for the first time, we strongly encourage you to give us a call, so that we can walk you through the process in a much less intimidating way. You also should download our complete guide which breaks down exactly which cuts come from which parts of the animal, to determine what's best for you.

Availability

Quarters and Sides are available on a waiting list. Once you place an order for your Quarter or Side, you will be put on the waiting list until the next one is available. This could be as early as one week, or as long as 6-12 weeks. For information on our current wait times, please give us a call and we will give you an estimate.

All Quarters and Sides must be picked up at the abattoir. All cutting instructions and pickup times will be arranged with them directly. When you order is ready to be picked up, they will give you a call to arrange a time.

Limitations

While ordering a Quarter or Side allows you to have your meat custom cut (however you like it), there are some restrictions that sometimes mean not getting everything exactly as you’d like it to be. For example, on mixed quarters, each quarter needs to be matched up to the other mixed quarter on that side.

So if one customer wants their steaks cut 1” thick, the other customer must also have them cut 1” thick. If one customer wants Prime Rib Roasts, the other customer cannot have Rib Steaks, because they come from the same spot, etc. This can be a little restrictive, especially when ordering a quarter. Ordering a side gives you more control over the cutting process but still comes with some limitations.

Pricing

All Bluewater Beef pricing is based on a price per pound for beef. For Quarters and Sides, the butchering fees are not included in that price. The butcher charges .69 cents per pound for the cutting, wrapping, and freezing of the beef, plus the slaughter and environmental fees which are about $170 per animal. Specialty processing such as patties and sausages are an additional charge paid to the butcher who prepares the meat.

Basically, depending on how you want the beef cut, the size of the animal, etc., the butchering fees will amount to approximately 85 cents per pound, on top of the cost of the beef, which varies slightly depending on the market value and the area of beef you are requesting.

It is also important to note that all pricing for Quarters and Sides is based on the hanging weight (the weight of the beef when it is hung in the cooler to age). That weight will include the bone, excess fat, etc. that the butcher cuts off. The take-home weight of the actual beef cuts will be approximately 60% of what the hanging weight is.

For current pricing of sides and quarters, please call us directly.

Payment

A non-refundable deposit of $200 is required at the time of booking. Deposits must be made via e-transfer or cash only. Final payment is due to Bluewater Beef before or at the time of pickup from the abattoir. This is done by e-transfer but can also be done by cash left with the butcher at pickup. A separate payment must be made to the abattoir at pickup for the full amount of their invoice.


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