bulk buying 1/2 sides of beef/whole lamb

[Andrew]

Hi,

Does anyone have experience buying half sides of beef?

I've been looking into it over the last little while - it looks like it can be good value.
http://www.mitchellgrassmeats.com.au/order.aspx
http://www.keiransmeat.com/halfside_onlineorder.html
http://www.farmfreshlambcompany.com.au/shop#shop


So, experiences with stuff like this? Any places to avoid or recommendations? (I'm in Brisbane). Also, if any one is interested in splitting a half side or a lamb, send me a PM.

[imarty]

Take a look at this:
http://www.aussiebbq.info/forum/viewtop ... =17&t=1845

Not worth it in my opinion.

[Green Nigel]

Can't comment on the actual bulk buying side of your post but I can offer a few words of wisdom learnt the hard way.

Before ordering make sure that you actually have enough freezer space for it all otherwise you'll be cooking & eating a lot of meat after delivery.

1/2 a cow doesn't sound like much until you see it all in front of you!

[Mountain Mick]

Hi, as noted already 1/2 cow doesn't sound a lot until you are trying to pack in your freezer. as for price that is hard as we are pay twice the price for lamb up here in CQ then you guys in Brissy are. and unless I after special meat for catering We buy our lamb & beef still with wool and hide in place and breathing. sorry. But that what farmer do, sorry I was not more helpful. ,MM

[Smokey]

When I was a kid, My Dad invested in a large chest freezer and did just what you suggest.
I remember trestle tables set up with plastic and me with a hacksaw cutting half or sometimes a quarter cow, were he told me to cut.
Mostly it was a whole lamb (sometimes a very old lamb )
The one thing that Dad did not invest in was a cryovac machine or a mini cool room.
The meat was great for a few weeks but after that is was freezer burned boot leather
I dont think they were available back then, The cryovacs that is

[urbangriller]

We did the same, we would pack it in cloth, soak that in a bath, then wrap in newspaper, tie with string, soak again and freeze with plastic sheets in between.

Then we would stretch and tan the hides, I had sheep skin slippers made by my grandma from a skin I tanned, I had hand knitted socks as well!

Great Fun!

Cheers
Chris

[miohn]

My folks used to bulk buy when I was a kid (waaaaay too long ago!). Come home with a dirty great box with a whole sheep (lamb? whatever) or beef hindquarter. It was certainly cheaper but the downside was if you got a tough one. Usually the whole bloody lot was tough! Good argument for sausages I guess!