Direct From the Farm

We are happy to raise heritage hogs for our customers all year long. The hogs are raised here at Backroad Barnyard in Ellendale, and we sell them primarily as Halves and Wholes. That means our customers commit to purchasing a half hog or a whole hog and then get to choose their butcher shop and what cuts they want, receiving a large variety of cuts and processing options for their premium pork!

When we sell hogs as Halves and Wholes, we charge a per pound price that is based on the hanging weight. We charge $5.50 per pound, based on hanging weight.

We work directly with two butcher shops to ensure that you have the highest quality processing. We work with Conger Meats in Conger, MN, and Steve's Meat Market in Ellendale, MN. Both shops have a lot of options and great seasonings. They charge a per pound rate for butchering, along with added fees for smoking or special seasoning options that you can choose.

In the next section, there are examples of the anticipated costs. We want to be as transparent as possible. This is a big purchase and commitment that neither party takes lightly. We raise these hogs with integrity and hope that it provides your family with comfort and confidence in knowing where and how your food is raised.

$5.50/lb

NO HORMONES / NO STEROIDS / NO VACCINES

Average Weights

Pricing is based on the weight of the hogs. Our goal is to deliver our hogs to the meat market at approximately 300 lbs live weight. Typically, we expect hanging weight to be about 65% of the live weight. Hanging weight is the weight of the hog after the head, feet and guts are removed. For whole hogs, you can expect the hanging weight to be roughly 195 pounds.

Whole Hog: 195 pounds X $5.50/lb = $1,072

Half Hog: 98 pounds X $5.50/lb = $536

This cost is for feeding and raising the hog for you and is paid to Backroad Barnyard. You can click over to our Shop to pay a deposit to reserve your whole or half hog. When the hog goes to the meat market and we know the exact hanging weight, you will be billed for the remaining amount due, minus the deposit.

Processing

Processing is billed separately from the cost of the hog. The meat market charges for their time and expertise in butchering, cutting and processing your pork. The meat market will call you when your order is complete and ready for pick up.

When you arrive at the meat market to pick up your pork, you will need to pay them their fee for processing. This fee can vary widely depending on the choices you make for the cuts of meat you'd like as well as any special seasonings added or smoking for hams/chops.

For a whole hog, expect this to be in the $400-$500 range, or $200-$250 for a half hog. This fee is due to the meat market when you pick up your pork.

Working with the Meat Market

We work directly with the meat market and bring our heritage hogs to them. We give them our customers' name and phone number and they will call you directly to get your cutting instructions. This system works great because you can ask questions along the way, too!

A LOT of our customers are new to buying direct from the farmer. We want to make this as easy as possible and show you that it is actually very simple. Customers get a reminder email prior to your hog going into the meat market. The email will explain some of the options you have and where the cuts come from, so you're an informed consumer.

For example, the ham is the back leg of the hog. Each half hog has one WHOLE ham. Most customers quarter it so it's smaller, more manageable pieces. We quarter ours because I feel like it has better flavor (the brine penetrates better) and it warms up faster in the oven; one giant ham has the potential to dry out more, in my opinion.

The butcher will ask if you want your ham as a whole or quartered. Another option is ham steaks, which are always fun too. We like using these to make scalloped potatoes. We get 2 or 3 meals out of a couple ham steaks. Since we always get a whole hog, we will sometimes get one ham quartered, and the second ham cut into steaks for variety.

The meat market is happy to work with our customers and it's my job to make this as easy as possible for you to place your order, when the time comes. We want you to be confident!

Deposits

You are invited to reserve your whole or half hog by submitting payment through our Store.

The fee for reserving a whole hog is $400, or $250 for a half hog. The deposit helps cover some of the costs associated with feeding and caring for your hog. The deposit is non-refundable but it is transferrable.

Our hogs live the high life here at Backroad Barnyard! They have free-choice, organic feed available at all times, space to roam and forage in our wooded pastures, a clean barn for shelter, fresh water and companionship. Reserve a hog for your family and know that you're providing the purist, healthiest, and best tasting pork to nourish the ones you love!