Similar to what I do ...
Six neighbors (one with a pasture) and 3 cows. We take turns buying feed (Purina Cattle Developer) and each will get 1/2 cow in late fall/early winter. About half come back from the processor as ground beef but there are lots of roasts and steaks too ... years worth of beef for about $2.25. It almost fills up my 15 cf upright freezer. Porterhouse is on the menu for tonight.
Excellent! You ARE the source, even better!
Unfortunately, if I was involved in it’s care I’d end up with a pet instead of beef! “But... but, we can’t EAT him! I LOVE him!” I’m a weinie...
Oddly, the guy I get mine from said a lot of people have him do the whole thing in ground beef “because they don’t know how to cook a steak or a roast”. How sad is that?!?!