Read time: 5-7 minutes

The Whole Animal Approach: A Guide to Selling Beef and Pork Shares

Hello Fellow Farmers and Homesteaders!

Are you planning to sell pork shares (halves and whole pigs) or beef shares? If so, I want to share a resource that will make selling beef and pork shares much easier—and it’s free! It’s the “Beef and Pork Whole Animal Buying Guide” from Iowa State University. This guide is a goldmine for simplifying your sales process, saving you time, and enhancing your customers’ experience. Let me show you what I mean.

Why This Guide is Essential for Your Farm

Selling whole animals can be a complex process, especially for the customer. You’ll get questions like “How many pounds will I get?” and “How many steaks will I receive?” This guide breaks it down into easy-to-understand segments that will answer most of your customers’ questions. Here’s how it can help you streamline your operations and improve your customer interactions.

Save Time and Reduce Inquiries

Ever feel like you’re spending too much time on the phone answering the same questions about meat shares? This guide is your answer. For any share we sell, we email the customer this PDF and instruct them to read it before asking questions, then let us know what questions they have. It will address most of their questions upfront. This means fewer phone calls and emails for you, and more time to focus on running your farm.

Clarify Cuts and Amounts

One of the biggest challenges in selling meat shares is explaining the different cuts and the amount of meat customers will receive. This guide includes detailed sections on:

• Beef Cuts: Descriptions of chuck, rib, loin, round, and more.
• Pork Cuts: Detailed information on shoulder, loin, belly, and ham.

By providing clear visuals and explanations, you can help customers understand what they’re getting, leading to higher satisfaction and fewer misunderstandings. Now they’ll know they can either choose the T-Bone steak or the NY Strip/Filet combo—not both!

Simplify Cost Explanations

Customers often have questions about the cost breakdown of buying whole animals. The guide covers:

• Animal Cost: Based on carcass or live weight.
• Processing Fees: Depending on the types of cuts and packaging.
• Storage and Delivery: Any additional costs if they can’t pick up the meat immediately.

Having this information readily available makes it easier for you to explain pricing and helps customers feel more informed and confident in their purchase. I convey this to our customers by bragging about how we have the most informed eaters in the world.

Enhance Your Marketing

Use the guide as a marketing tool. It demonstrates your commitment to transparency and education, building trust with your customers. Highlighting that you provide such a comprehensive resource can set you apart from other sellers.

Provide Practical Storage and Handling Tips

Storage space is a big question we get here on the farm, and this guide helps answer that for the customer. It will educate your customers on how to properly store and handle their meat and the space required to do so. The guide includes:

• Freezer Space Requirements: Tips on how much space is needed.
• Proper Packaging: Advice on preventing freezer burn.
• Safe Meat Handling: Best practices for thawing and cooking meat.

By helping customers store and handle their meat correctly, you ensure they have the best possible experience, which can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.

Make Selling Shares Easier

This guide answers most of the common questions customers have about buying meat shares, making the selling process smoother and more efficient. Heck, I still refer to it when answering customer questions. When customers and farmers are well-informed, the customer is more likely to make a purchase and feel satisfied with their investment.

In Summary

The “Beef and Pork Whole Animal Buying Guide” is an invaluable tool for farmers and homesteaders. It saves you time, clarifies complex information, and enhances your marketing efforts. Best of all, it’s free! By making this guide available to your customers, you streamline the sales process and build stronger, more trusting relationships with your buyers.

Till next time, happy farming!

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With My Appreciation,

Jason

Aka: The Part-Time Famer