Many Farmers choose to charge for quarter, half and whole beef based on hanging weight because it is more accurate when determining their underlying cost-basis. However, the concept of hanging weight is not understood by Buyers and introduces uncertainty (reducing conversion) . Understanding hanging weight prices are critical for your Farm to cover butchering costs, then price your products for Buyers based to preserve a healthy profit margin.

What does Hanging Weight mean? The “Hanging Weight" is the weight of a cow after the initial kill of the animal, with the carcass remaining, after slaughter, processing, and removal of organs, head, blood, and skin. This is the effective weight of a carcass on the hook at the processing facility - commonly referred to as the Hanging Weight.

American consumers love local food, but they enjoy convenience more. Efficiencies realized by large corporations (i.e., Amazon, Target) have created a blueprint for Farmers to implement efficient and profitable delivery services. Delivery can be one of the most lucrative activities for your Farm business as it satisfies Buyers’ expectations of convenience, drives higher monthly orders, and is one of the main contributors to Farms selling out more often.

At Barn2Door, we’re proud to provide the software and the services to help 1000’s of Farms across America grow and manage direct sales. We’ve partnered with ACRES to present the National Farm Innovator Webinar Series showcasing stories about sustainable Farmers that have implemented innovative business tactics to serve their local communities, fuel sales, and save time.

DX Beef is located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation located on the Great Plains of South Dakota. Kelsey Ducheneaux Scott is a fourth-generation rancher working alongside her family where their mission is to contribute to a healthier ecosystem, focusing on regenerative agriculture practices.

Last Spring, we sat down with Valerie Luhman of Grass Fed Cattle Co to learn more about her experience scaling her Farm business and how implementing a streamlined ordering and delivery system has contributed to their growth. Recently, we caught up with Valerie to see how the Farm has evolved and get the scoop on how she and her husband Jared have made Grass Fed Cattle Co their own.

Old Rich Valley Farm is committed to producing the healthiest proteins through their pasture-based management system to sustain the land and embrace the lives and health of their animals. Located in the state of Virginia, Old Rich Valley Farm raises pastured beef, chicken, and pork to give their local community access to high-quality, healthy meat.

Thomas Bennett raises non-GMO, antibiotic-free pork and poultry in southeastern Michigan. Dedicated to implementing the highest standards of animal welfare, sustainability, and humane practices, animals on Bennett Farms live low-stress, happy lives, exercising their natural behaviors.

As consumers spend an increasing amount of time online, your Buyers’ expectations are being conditioned by billion-dollar brands. In fact, 93% of American adults purchased from Amazon in 2020. They have made it easier than ever to buy online, and customers no longer want to waste time purchasing the same products they know they will need next month.

In January 2020, we spoke with Jessica Evans of Evans Family Farm to learn more about her experience transitioning their Farm to online direct to market sales. Our initial conversation occurred well ahead of the pandemic. Recently, we caught up with Jessica to get the scoop on how her Farm business has navigated the past year.

Joelle and Jared Orem run Orem Farms, a 40-acre family Farm located in Northeast Indiana. Jared is a fourth generation Farmer who was raised to grow food, he knows how to work the land and produce quality crops. Joelle has a background in marketing and events with a Bachelor’s Degree in Design from Indiana Wesleyan University; she is a creative thinker with a heart for family, farming, and her local community. Together, their well rounded skills have enabled them to grow the family business.

Luke and Caitlin started Provision Family Farms after hearing Joel Salatin lecture about small, direct-to-market Farms. That was 8 years ago, and now the West Michigan Farm is raising grass fed beef, lamb, pastured pork and chicken which they sell direct-to-market online for home delivery. They’ve stayed ahead of consumers shifting expectations and have continued to grow through the pandemic.

In the face of uncertainty due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, Barn2Door has witnessed many Farms enjoy success as they bring their products direct-to-market, own their own customer relationships and make more revenue selling to local buyers. We know that 9 out of 10 American consumers want to buy local food, but 99% aren’t going to farmers markets. Furthermore, coronavirus cases have resulted in severe restrictions, causing schools, restaurants, bars and markets to close and open unpredictably and variably across the country.

After attending college for horticulture in Germany, Petra Zinniker wrote to the Biodynamic Association, asking about opportunities for hands-on experience working with an organic Farm in the states. On the Member List she received was Zinniker Family Farms, where she landed an internship, met her husband, and spent her life working on one of the oldest biodynamic Farms in the country. Petra graciously shared her story, the Farm’s history, and their experience selling direct to customers.

Joe grew up on his family farm and shortly after high school, began farming full time with his dad at McCabe Family Farms, located 30 miles south of Rochester, MN. They have a cow-calf operation and raised pastured pork and grain-finished beef to sell direct to market. Joe always had a passion for agriculture and raising animals.

John Montgomery, his wife, son and nephew live full, active lives at Chestnut Ridge Farms. They share it abundantly—selling beef, pork and a healthy lifestyle to their local Virginia community. John described how their lifestyle and philosophy connects with local buyers, and why and how they prioritize convenience as a way to ensure loyalty and a growing business.

Cliff and Cari were always, in their words: “on a path to farming together—we just didn’t know it.” Today Rockwell Ridge Farm offers their local Madison, Wisconsin, community pastured pork and eggs, baked goods, and apples and pears from their orchard. Cliff was kind enough to share their farming journey, and the ways they’re shifting business online to address this recent pandemic.

Amy Foster moved to North Carolina right after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Originally from Hastings, MN, she grew up gardening and playing in cornfields around their home. When she met her husband and married in 1998, they wanted some control over their food and how it was produced. They bought land in NC with the intention to homestead and give Amy flexibility to take care of their two young children. Soon, they found a community of conscious consumers interested in purchasing their natural, sustainably raised chicken and beef. Amy shared their experience growing Gilcrest Natural Farm, and the ways they’ve adapted to shifting needs and demand during the pandemic.