[MyTwoCopperCoins]

Search Craigs list and buy a 1/2 cow or pig from a local farmer.

Interesting... is that like sponsoring a cow until it's time for buchering, or does the sponsor have to literally take one half of the cow, after slaughter?

[Colvin]

Usually a farmer sells 1/2 a steer or pig when they have reached optimum weight to butcher, he arranges the slaughter and has the halves taken to a butcher, who processes and wraps the meat for about 50c to 65c a pound.
(To order)

The USDA requires animals to be sold by the half unless the live animal is sent to an approved processing plant. In my area I would have to transfer the animals for a couple of hours to get to a plant so I could sell the meat at a farmers market, so I just sell halves.
The big processors don't like competition. Thank you government for protecting me.