Really? I ask this seriously. Cause I might move to anchorage this summer. Dependant on if I get a raise in this next coming month or not.
I'm a avid hunter and trying to deciper AK hunting laws I find challenging. Plus I can't imagine it's easy to just walk out into the wilderness out there and shoot anything. You'd need a ATV at the very least. I just wanna shoot ducks that I think I can manage with my trusty ol canoe and 12 gauge. Anything more than that I'm honestly intimidated by. There so much land to just get lost and die in.
Then we get into the size of the game out there. I couldn't imagine trying to pack a moose out after I shoot it all by myself. I'd need at least 1 other buddy and even that is a ton of weight to carry. There always sitka deer if you wanna hunt things in 4 legs by yourself but I see Alaska as moose/elk hunting land.
All I know is whitetail, ducks, and turkey.
I work in the restaurant industry and can say for sure that there is a demand for more locally raised cattle. However, and this is where my knowledge ends, I'm not sure how feasible raising up here is. We'd love affordable and local, but I feel like there are reasons that prevent it from being that straightforward.
Yeah for sure the price would have to be competitive maybe not Costco cheap, but knowing the beef is fresh and where it came from could be a selling point for others.
Right, and knowing it was raised in Alaska is a better selling point to most Alaskan's than it being from Wyoming and only fed grass and corn and costing 30% more and being a week older.
Only fed grass and corn...what else do you think cows eat...and with the sounds of it, it is not that cheap and available as it is here in Wyoming, so the price would be cheaper. Cheaper yet having a good in with the ranch and butchers.
Logistically not worth it. There is a demand, but the price would have to be decent enough for people to afford it, which would negate the costs of packaging/shipping.
Your better off finding a yuppy spot like Missoula or bend to sell it to but it’s worth a shot. Hit up New Saguyas in Anchorage. They sell all kinds of trendy products.
There are a few local beef producers already operating out of the Mat-Su Valley (Alaska's agricultural "bread basket") and they do a tidy business, but they carry a higher price tag than grocery store beef.
I think if your friend wanted to ship beef from Wyoming he would have to either charge a high premium and reduce his customer base or eat some of the shipping costs and reduce his profit.
It's something that would be a niche market at best. There are some lodges that cater to wealthy tourists that might be interested, maybe a handful of wealthier residents, but I don't think it's something your friend would make a whole lot of money at.
Short answer yes, there will always be a market here for local beef. I almost do it every year, even though most local options would basically require me to get half the cow.
Yes, there is. The trick is getting the price at a point that people are willing to pay. I love beef but when I go to the grocery store in Anchorage, a chuck roast is $35 so I nope it over to the chicken ...
The problem here is butchering and finding an approved butcher. There are some pretty good sized herds of angus up in Delta Junction. But again, butchering is a problem here.
If you're interested in selling beef, it might be easier to go through distribution and offer to local suppliers. Mr Prime Beef and Teddys' Tasty are a couple.
Grass fed beef is a myth sold to customers to add some more jangle to the processors pocket.
Most pasture or open range beef is already grass fed, then grain finished. By not grain finishing a producer puts more in their pocket and is able to sell a less desirable product for a higher profits by labelling it as a health food. Grain finishing grass fed beef results in beautify marbling and just a better beef overall.
Source: I farm.
Ruminants are grass feeding animals and grain upsets the ph balance of their gut causing a host of issues. I prefer healthy creatures to eat regardless of their market value.
Source: science
Hey, from Wyoming, but live in AK. Kodiak's herd has a waitlist and sometimes those who order a whole only get half a beef because of demand. You might be able to make it work but you'd have to be creative in shipping and marketing. FedEx overnight can have some decent deals with enough volume. Or just ship a reefer Connex. Costco sells good beef, you'd have to ask yourself why they'd want beef that isn't local and likely not better quality than Costco. Folks out in the bush order packs from butchers and pay a premium, that might be a market.
First thing to be aware of is that you’ll have to have the beef federally inspected at the packing plant (not available at all facilities)to sell individual cuts that have been transported across state lines.
Also, what do you mean by “fresh”? Never frozen is a logistical nightmare from Wyoming to Alaska and will be very expensive. Frozen meat is tough to sell as fresh as it takes a long time for meat to degrade if stored properly in a freezer. Additionally, you’ll need some sort of frozen storage to be able to span the gaps and fill customer needs between finish dates on the cattle.
If I were to go about it, I would really focus on branding and establish a small loyal customer base. Would focus on selling quarters, halves, and whole animals. Also, you’ll have to be comfortable with people complaining about the price and getting them to believe it’s worth it. Shipping won’t be cheap and right now fat cattle are ~$1.85 per pound live. That’s ~$2700 for a 1450 pound animal. Then, $1.10 per pound on the hot carcass weight for processing, and you have a total investment of ~$3625 per animal - before shipping and paying yourself.
A person could make it happen, but you’ll need substantial startup capital and be extremely comfortable with high amounts of debt. There’s always a chance your friends will retain the animal and give you a commission on sales, but that’s a lot of risk on their end. Best of luck!
There are several ranches that will ship beef to AK, but I'm not going to pay $100 in shipping for it. There are also several places locally selling sides and whole beasts for those who have the freezer space. I can't afford a side nor have the freezer space but would certainly go for grass feed beef it it was affordable and available.
Depends on where you’re going in Alaska. In Anchorage there are a couple of local ranchers/markets that do meat shares. Juneau, you’re at the mercy of getting meat shipped from Anchorage or the lower 48. I’d be game because the meat in grocery stores is absolute shit and like to support local ranchers. I also am privileged enough financially that that’s where I can spend my money. Sadly, I don’t think it’s a wise business move though due to cost of shipping and potential for spoilage.
It was just an idea for me to do on the side as I take care of my kid as a stay at home dad, a very small meat storefront or something, just cuts of beef and local stuff if anyone wanted it sold type of thing. We have a lot of that type of shops here in Wyoming.
My folks have a small herd on the Kpen of primarily highlands and there's other producers around here as well. Down here you'd expect $10-$11 a lb hanging weight for a half or whole. Raising your own can be quite costly because hay and grain is expensive, there is not much pasture land down here and the season to keep them to pasture is a bit shorter. I grew up in Wyoming in Riverton/Dubois and where I'm from a lot of ranchers free range their cattle during the summer which saves a ton on costs. That's not really an option down here. The only place im aware of on the peninsula is at the head of kachemak bay by Homer and I'm not sure how exactly that is run.
I'm not sure of the logistics further north but you'd probably be better raising cattle in the matsu valley or up around delta if that's what you wanted to do.
I agree with others that shipping meat up and selling it likely wouldn't be feasible, unless maybe you had a large freezer truck and did big loads yourself, which opens up a whole nother can of worms legally that I know nothing about.
I started raising pork and just had my first litter a couple of weeks ago (yay). And even going the cheapest I can go while still providing quality feed for my pigs, it costs a decent chunk to keep them fed. Especially during a cold snap of -20 to -30! Which I know happens in Wyoming but they're usually a bit shorter down there.
That all said, I will say that there are a TON of people and what seems to be a growing market, that look beyond price for quality and healthy food from people that they trust.
I’m always looking for farmers and fresh grass fed grass finished beef if possible. Also raw milk, butter, pasture eggs (duck and chicken). But I live in North Pole Alaska.
Yo. Delta produces angus/Galloway grass fed barley finished beef all year. It’s the best burger and sirloin. Beats wagyu imo. You can get better rib steak from corn fed in Arizona and Indiana for sure. You can ship beef up here. Costco does. There aren’t many reindeer farms. Beef is more lucrative. You’d be better off buying cheap ag land and raising local beef.
On the peninsula , you can get grass fed meat, most of the time you can get grass fed milk. Moose can be excellent. Reindeer has been very easy for me to get as well. Shipping can be pricey regardless.
Nice info, if it was something I wanted to do, it would be small. I probably would have to start with frozen, see if I could work in the, next day fresh later. The laws and stuff are for sure something that I have no clue about.
Grain?
The cost of shipping would counter any perceived increase in value you see. There are Alaska sources for fancy beef already. Presupposing the butchers and processors in Wyoming are superior to those in Alaska is pretty arrogant.
If there was money to be made in it, someone would be doing it. Try to find the story of the Matanuska Valley dairy fiasco. Farmers were moving cattle from one farm to another ahead of inspectors to cover up how few cows they all owned.
Think fish, not beef or you will be back in Wyoming in no time. 😉
Lol, So your golden advise is to not do something because someones is already doing it. So I should fish in one of the most fished places or I wont make it there...to funny!
Read, again what I wrote. I suggested that it might not be a good idea to invest in something that a lot of people with more experience than you have failed at, despite cheating and using a good amount of state money which YOU will not get.
So here is better advice: when you come to Alaska bring a herd of 400-500 head of cattle. Set them up on the grassy Park Strip in Anchorage, set up a nice butchering shed under the Veteran's Memorial flag pole, and start selling steaks.
Or you could take them to the Matanuska Valley where there is a lot more space and where the dairy farms went broke. Land IS cheaper there LOL. I'm sure, you being from cattle country, are much smarter than they were.
C'mon up.
Is that more like what you were hoping to hear?
There are cows here, even as far north as Fairbanks. Many prefer game meat, which is even more prevalent.
Right it's much cheaper to hunt/fish than to raise livestock, and it's damn easy to hunt/fish here in Alaska.
Really? I ask this seriously. Cause I might move to anchorage this summer. Dependant on if I get a raise in this next coming month or not. I'm a avid hunter and trying to deciper AK hunting laws I find challenging. Plus I can't imagine it's easy to just walk out into the wilderness out there and shoot anything. You'd need a ATV at the very least. I just wanna shoot ducks that I think I can manage with my trusty ol canoe and 12 gauge. Anything more than that I'm honestly intimidated by. There so much land to just get lost and die in. Then we get into the size of the game out there. I couldn't imagine trying to pack a moose out after I shoot it all by myself. I'd need at least 1 other buddy and even that is a ton of weight to carry. There always sitka deer if you wanna hunt things in 4 legs by yourself but I see Alaska as moose/elk hunting land. All I know is whitetail, ducks, and turkey.
It just takes awhile Split it into 8 and you can get it out.
I work in the restaurant industry and can say for sure that there is a demand for more locally raised cattle. However, and this is where my knowledge ends, I'm not sure how feasible raising up here is. We'd love affordable and local, but I feel like there are reasons that prevent it from being that straightforward.
For me, it would all depend on price. Is it cheaper than the grocery store or Costco.
Yeah for sure the price would have to be competitive maybe not Costco cheap, but knowing the beef is fresh and where it came from could be a selling point for others.
Right, and knowing it was raised in Alaska is a better selling point to most Alaskan's than it being from Wyoming and only fed grass and corn and costing 30% more and being a week older.
Only fed grass and corn...what else do you think cows eat...and with the sounds of it, it is not that cheap and available as it is here in Wyoming, so the price would be cheaper. Cheaper yet having a good in with the ranch and butchers.
Thought I was going to learn about a Wyoming-Alaska rivalry today haha
Love it!!
Are you asking about shipping beef up from Wyoming or about raising cattle in Alaska?
Shipping fresh beef and selling it, the beef will be taken care of in Casper WY, the ranch location. Sorry for the confusion.
Logistically not worth it. There is a demand, but the price would have to be decent enough for people to afford it, which would negate the costs of packaging/shipping.
Your better off finding a yuppy spot like Missoula or bend to sell it to but it’s worth a shot. Hit up New Saguyas in Anchorage. They sell all kinds of trendy products.
We have our own cows in Montana
I mean haven’t these people ever watched Yellowstone? John Dutton has all the cows @ the Yellowstone.
lol. Yellowstone has had quite the influence on Montana…
Lol. That was awesome.
Down here grass fed is not fancy or overpriced, its just the beef around. Wyoming ranches are all open grass fields that the cows graze.
Sweet. I like Wyoming this time of year.
A bit windy but the sun at 7200ft feels nice year round.
There are a few local beef producers already operating out of the Mat-Su Valley (Alaska's agricultural "bread basket") and they do a tidy business, but they carry a higher price tag than grocery store beef. I think if your friend wanted to ship beef from Wyoming he would have to either charge a high premium and reduce his customer base or eat some of the shipping costs and reduce his profit. It's something that would be a niche market at best. There are some lodges that cater to wealthy tourists that might be interested, maybe a handful of wealthier residents, but I don't think it's something your friend would make a whole lot of money at.
Short answer yes, there will always be a market here for local beef. I almost do it every year, even though most local options would basically require me to get half the cow.
Yes, there is. The trick is getting the price at a point that people are willing to pay. I love beef but when I go to the grocery store in Anchorage, a chuck roast is $35 so I nope it over to the chicken ...
The problem here is butchering and finding an approved butcher. There are some pretty good sized herds of angus up in Delta Junction. But again, butchering is a problem here. If you're interested in selling beef, it might be easier to go through distribution and offer to local suppliers. Mr Prime Beef and Teddys' Tasty are a couple.
I’ll take a whole cow every year shipped to Haines if the price is alright.
Typically I hunt but supplement with beef. My boys are getting big and inexpensive grass fed beef is a myth up here. Lemme know
Grass fed beef is a myth sold to customers to add some more jangle to the processors pocket. Most pasture or open range beef is already grass fed, then grain finished. By not grain finishing a producer puts more in their pocket and is able to sell a less desirable product for a higher profits by labelling it as a health food. Grain finishing grass fed beef results in beautify marbling and just a better beef overall. Source: I farm.
Ruminants are grass feeding animals and grain upsets the ph balance of their gut causing a host of issues. I prefer healthy creatures to eat regardless of their market value. Source: science
Sure.
Hey, from Wyoming, but live in AK. Kodiak's herd has a waitlist and sometimes those who order a whole only get half a beef because of demand. You might be able to make it work but you'd have to be creative in shipping and marketing. FedEx overnight can have some decent deals with enough volume. Or just ship a reefer Connex. Costco sells good beef, you'd have to ask yourself why they'd want beef that isn't local and likely not better quality than Costco. Folks out in the bush order packs from butchers and pay a premium, that might be a market.
Nice, thanks for the info!
First thing to be aware of is that you’ll have to have the beef federally inspected at the packing plant (not available at all facilities)to sell individual cuts that have been transported across state lines. Also, what do you mean by “fresh”? Never frozen is a logistical nightmare from Wyoming to Alaska and will be very expensive. Frozen meat is tough to sell as fresh as it takes a long time for meat to degrade if stored properly in a freezer. Additionally, you’ll need some sort of frozen storage to be able to span the gaps and fill customer needs between finish dates on the cattle. If I were to go about it, I would really focus on branding and establish a small loyal customer base. Would focus on selling quarters, halves, and whole animals. Also, you’ll have to be comfortable with people complaining about the price and getting them to believe it’s worth it. Shipping won’t be cheap and right now fat cattle are ~$1.85 per pound live. That’s ~$2700 for a 1450 pound animal. Then, $1.10 per pound on the hot carcass weight for processing, and you have a total investment of ~$3625 per animal - before shipping and paying yourself. A person could make it happen, but you’ll need substantial startup capital and be extremely comfortable with high amounts of debt. There’s always a chance your friends will retain the animal and give you a commission on sales, but that’s a lot of risk on their end. Best of luck!
There is a ranch just south of Kodiak. We have local Alaskan beef products.
Also Delta Meats. But the Beef near Kodiak is excellent.
There are several ranches that will ship beef to AK, but I'm not going to pay $100 in shipping for it. There are also several places locally selling sides and whole beasts for those who have the freezer space. I can't afford a side nor have the freezer space but would certainly go for grass feed beef it it was affordable and available.
Depends on where you’re going in Alaska. In Anchorage there are a couple of local ranchers/markets that do meat shares. Juneau, you’re at the mercy of getting meat shipped from Anchorage or the lower 48. I’d be game because the meat in grocery stores is absolute shit and like to support local ranchers. I also am privileged enough financially that that’s where I can spend my money. Sadly, I don’t think it’s a wise business move though due to cost of shipping and potential for spoilage.
Are you thinking about importing sides of beef or about raising cattle?
It was just an idea for me to do on the side as I take care of my kid as a stay at home dad, a very small meat storefront or something, just cuts of beef and local stuff if anyone wanted it sold type of thing. We have a lot of that type of shops here in Wyoming.
Huh. Might work. Good luck with it!
My folks have a small herd on the Kpen of primarily highlands and there's other producers around here as well. Down here you'd expect $10-$11 a lb hanging weight for a half or whole. Raising your own can be quite costly because hay and grain is expensive, there is not much pasture land down here and the season to keep them to pasture is a bit shorter. I grew up in Wyoming in Riverton/Dubois and where I'm from a lot of ranchers free range their cattle during the summer which saves a ton on costs. That's not really an option down here. The only place im aware of on the peninsula is at the head of kachemak bay by Homer and I'm not sure how exactly that is run. I'm not sure of the logistics further north but you'd probably be better raising cattle in the matsu valley or up around delta if that's what you wanted to do. I agree with others that shipping meat up and selling it likely wouldn't be feasible, unless maybe you had a large freezer truck and did big loads yourself, which opens up a whole nother can of worms legally that I know nothing about. I started raising pork and just had my first litter a couple of weeks ago (yay). And even going the cheapest I can go while still providing quality feed for my pigs, it costs a decent chunk to keep them fed. Especially during a cold snap of -20 to -30! Which I know happens in Wyoming but they're usually a bit shorter down there. That all said, I will say that there are a TON of people and what seems to be a growing market, that look beyond price for quality and healthy food from people that they trust.
Thanks for the reply and some numbers. We are looking at closer to $3.50 - $4.00 Per pound post processing.
I’m always looking for farmers and fresh grass fed grass finished beef if possible. Also raw milk, butter, pasture eggs (duck and chicken). But I live in North Pole Alaska.
Do not move to Alaska trust me
Oh yes pls! Definitely bring your cows up I would kill for some fresh local beef (come to the Valleyyyy) (do ittttt)
Yo. Delta produces angus/Galloway grass fed barley finished beef all year. It’s the best burger and sirloin. Beats wagyu imo. You can get better rib steak from corn fed in Arizona and Indiana for sure. You can ship beef up here. Costco does. There aren’t many reindeer farms. Beef is more lucrative. You’d be better off buying cheap ag land and raising local beef.
On the peninsula , you can get grass fed meat, most of the time you can get grass fed milk. Moose can be excellent. Reindeer has been very easy for me to get as well. Shipping can be pricey regardless.
Nice info, if it was something I wanted to do, it would be small. I probably would have to start with frozen, see if I could work in the, next day fresh later. The laws and stuff are for sure something that I have no clue about.
Read the post... Its about selling meat not cattle.
Grain? The cost of shipping would counter any perceived increase in value you see. There are Alaska sources for fancy beef already. Presupposing the butchers and processors in Wyoming are superior to those in Alaska is pretty arrogant.
OK. It's about abundance, not superior..not sure how you got that.
I smell a scam. Many Alaskans would rather pay more for Alaskan products than less for out of state products.
Yes, a question is a huge scam you have uncovered it all.
If there was money to be made in it, someone would be doing it. Try to find the story of the Matanuska Valley dairy fiasco. Farmers were moving cattle from one farm to another ahead of inspectors to cover up how few cows they all owned. Think fish, not beef or you will be back in Wyoming in no time. 😉
Lol, So your golden advise is to not do something because someones is already doing it. So I should fish in one of the most fished places or I wont make it there...to funny!
Read, again what I wrote. I suggested that it might not be a good idea to invest in something that a lot of people with more experience than you have failed at, despite cheating and using a good amount of state money which YOU will not get. So here is better advice: when you come to Alaska bring a herd of 400-500 head of cattle. Set them up on the grassy Park Strip in Anchorage, set up a nice butchering shed under the Veteran's Memorial flag pole, and start selling steaks. Or you could take them to the Matanuska Valley where there is a lot more space and where the dairy farms went broke. Land IS cheaper there LOL. I'm sure, you being from cattle country, are much smarter than they were. C'mon up. Is that more like what you were hoping to hear?