Hanging Weight vs. Packaged Weight Explained | Freezer Beef in Indiana

If you’re looking into buying freezer beef, you may come across two different ways that farms set their prices: hanging weight or packaged weight. Both are legitimate approaches, but they aren’t the same. Knowing the difference helps you make a choice that works best for your family.

What Does “Hanging Weight” Mean?

Hanging weight is the weight of the animal’s carcass after slaughter but before trimming, deboning, and packaging. It includes bone, fat, and other parts that won’t end up in your freezer.

For example, a steer might weigh 1,000 pounds live, 600 pounds on the rail (hanging weight), and provide around 400 pounds of packaged beef.

Why It Matters

When farms price by hanging weight, customers usually pay a set price per pound plus the processor’s butchering fees. Since every animal is different, the final amount of beef you take home — and the total cost — can vary. For some families, that system works fine, especially if they’re used to working directly with a processor.

For others, it can feel confusing. The price per pound may look lower, but it doesn’t always reflect the beef you actually receive.

How We Price at Tyner Pond Farm

We’ve chosen a different approach. All of our bundles — ⅛, ¼, and ½ beef — are priced by the packaged weight you’ll take home. Processing is included in the price, and we deliver free across Indiana.

That means when you buy a ¼ beef, you know you’re getting about 100 pounds of beef, already vacuum-sealed and ready for your freezer. No separate processor bill, and no guesswork about yield.

Our Goal: Simplicity for Families

Both methods of selling beef have their place. We simply believe packaged weight pricing is the most straightforward for our customers. You see the bundle size, you know the cost, and you can plan your freezer space with confidence.

Buying freezer beef is a big step toward feeding your family well. We want to make that step as clear and stress-free as possible.

See Our Bundles Here