A Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing a Butchered Whole Hog: Understanding Weights, Cuts, and Cost Benefits
- Four Element Acres
- Aug 14
- 5 min read
Buying a butchered whole hog can seem like an overwhelming process, especially for those new to purchasing meat in bulk. Our goal at Four Element Acres is to make this process as user friendly as possible so you can navigate your order with confidence. This guide will help you understand the terminology, the pricing, your-take home product and the pros and cons of buying your meat in bulk.
Understanding Weights: Live Weight, Hanging Weight, and Take-Home Product
Understanding the terminology related to weight and its impact on pricing is essential when buying a hog, as it helps in recognizing the various weights associated with the animal:
Live Weight
Live weight refers to the weight of the animal before it is slaughtered. This measurement varies significantly based on the breed, age, and overall health of the hog. Typically, a butcher ready, whole hog will weigh anywhere from 200 to 350 pounds when alive. The ideal weight for processing will depend mostly on the breed and how it was raised. Here at Four Element Acres we aim to butcher at 250 to 275 lbs. live weight.
Rail Weight
Rail weight, also known as the hanging weight, is the weight of the hog once it has been slaughtered and hung "on the rail". This measurement occurs after the blood has been drained and the head, hooves, and internal organs have been removed.
Typically, the hanging weight is about 70-75% of the live weight. For example, if you purchase a 300-pound hog, you can expect the hanging weight to be around 210-225 pounds. The rail weight is the weight used to calculate the cost of your hog.
Retail Weight - Your Take Home Product
The retail weight refers refers to the final weight of meat you will actually take home after butchering and packaging (aka the "retail cuts" such as what you would see in the grocery store). This weight takes into account the various cuts and trimmings that are made during the butchering process.
In general, you can expect to take home approximately 50-60% of the hanging weight as useable meat, depending on the cuts you choose. Thus, for our previous example of a 225-pound hanging weight, you should end up with around 110-135 pounds of pork to take home.
Why is the pricing based on the Rail Weight and NOT on what you take home?
Depending on how the animal is processed there can be a lot of variance in the weight of the final product. For example, a bone-in pork chop weighs more than a boneless pork chop but you are keeping the same amount of meat. Removing every bone from every cut in order to save money as a consumer creates more work for the butcher as well as a larger amount of waste from the animal.
When you purchase a hog from Four Element Acres we highly encourage nose to tail eating and minimizing the waste from any animal. When you purchase a whole hog, you have the option of keeping and utilizing all of your organ meat, lard and bones.
The Pros of Buying a Butchered Whole Hog
Cost-Effective: Purchasing a whole hog often results in significant savings compared to buying meat in smaller quantities at the grocery store. The price per pound is usually lower, especially for high-quality, local, or organic meat.
Diverse Cuts: By purchasing a whole hog, you have the opportunity to select the cuts you prefer. This allows for flexibility in meal planning and provides access to less common cuts that you might not find at your local grocery store.
Freshness and Quality: Sourcing a whole hog from a reputable farm or butcher guarantees that the meat is fresh and often more flavorful than mass-produced options.
Sustainable Options: By buying a whole hog, you are supporting local farmers who raise their animals humanely, promoting sustainable farming practices.
Various raw pork cuts
The Cons of Buying a Butchered Whole Hog
Initial Cost: Even though buying in bulk saves money in the long run, the initial expense can be substantial. You need to consider the cost of the entire hog upfront, which can range from $1,200 to $1,300 or more if you want additional processing such as bacon, sausage or ham.
Space and Storage: A whole hog requires ample freezer space for storage, approximately 4 cubic feet. Families with limited freezer space may find storing a whole hog to be a challenge.
Potential Waste: Depending on the cuts you choose, not all parts may be utilized, leading to potential waste. At Four Element Acres we highly recommend utilizing all of the animal and we love to share recipes showcasing how to utilize cuts such as tongue, heart and bone broth.
Understanding Different Cuts of Pork
To maximize your investment when buying a butchered hog, it's important to be familiar with various pork cuts. Here are some key cuts you may commonly receive and their uses:
Shoulder: A flavorful cut often saved as roasts and used for pulled pork and barbecue. The boston butt and the picnic roasts both come from the shoulder
Loin: This cut is tender and is where the tenderloin as well as the porkchops come from
Belly: Known for its rich flavor, perfect for bacon, or as a main dish when braised.
Hip: Also commonly referred to as the leg or ham, this cut is most often used to create hams by curing and smoking the roasts. These roasts can also be prepared fresh or made into steaks or cutlets.
Hocks: Pork hocks are the section of the leg that corresponds to the ankle joint. They can be left whole, cured and smoked or added to your ground pork. Pork hocks are very popular in Ukrainian, Hungarian and Southeast Asian cuisines.
Understanding these cuts will help you make informed choices and plan meals effectively.
Conclusion
Purchasing a butchered whole hog can be a rewarding experience for families looking to save money and stock their freezers with high-quality, sustainable meat options. By understanding the process between live weight, hanging weight, and take-home product, as well as the pros and cons of this purchasing method, you can confidently engage in the process. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with various cuts and their uses will ultimately contribute to minimizing waste and maximizing your investment. So, if you're considering buying bulk pork, take the plunge and enjoy the benefits that come with it! You can order a whole or half hog - heritage breed; pasture raised - from our farm here.