How to Buy a Whole Hog in Minnesota
A whole hog ordering guide from Feathered Acres Farm in Belgrade, MN: what it costs, how much meat you get, cuts, freezer space and every step from deposit to pickup.
The quick answer
- Price: $2.00/lb hanging weight. About 220 lbs hanging ≈ $440 to us.
- Processing: billed separately by the butcher, usually $250–$500 depending on your cuts.
- Meat: about 160 lbs of pork to take home.
- Deposit: $210 holds your hog. The balance is due once it’s weighed.
- Freezer: about 9 cubic feet.
Step by step: ordering your whole hog
- Reserve online. Place your $210 deposit on our Whole Hog page.
- Choose your cuts. Trisha calls you to go over your cut sheet: chop thickness, roast sizes, bacon, sausage flavors and more.
- Butcher day. We take hogs to the butcher every two weeks, so yours goes in with our next batch.
- Pay the balance. Once your hog is weighed, you pay $2.00/lb of hanging weight minus your deposit. The butcher bills processing separately.
- Pick up or delivery. Pick up at our farm in Belgrade, MN, or get free delivery on orders of $150 or more along our route: Sauk Centre, Belgrade, St. Michael, Monticello, Maple Grove, Wayzata and Plymouth.
What is hanging weight?
Hanging weight is what the hog weighs at the butcher after it has been gutted, but before it’s cut up. That’s the weight you’re charged on. A typical whole hog hangs around 220 lbs and gives you around 160 lbs of meat once the bones and trim come out. It’s confusing if you’ve never bought from a farm before, so please ask us anything!
What cuts come in a whole hog?
You choose. A typical whole hog includes:
- Pork Chops or Pork Loins
- Boston Butt/Pork Shoulder
- Bacon
- Breakfast Links
- Smoked Brats
- Custom Brat (available upon request)
- Ground Pork (breakfast sausage or Italian sausage)
- Roasts
- Ham
Whole hog or half hog?
A whole hog gives you the best price per pound and full control over every cut, and it’s easy to split with family or friends. If you’d rather skip the wait, our ready-now half hog is about 80 lbs of pork for $550, straight from our freezer. See our Half Hog Guide.
Why buy your hog from Feathered Acres?
Our hogs are Certified Humane, raised on pasture on our regenerative farm in Belgrade, Minnesota, and never given antibiotics or growth hormones. You’re welcome to come see how they’re raised.
Whole hog questions
How much does a whole hog cost?
Our whole hogs are $2.00 per pound of hanging weight. A typical whole hog hangs around 220 lbs, so that’s about $440 paid to us (including the $210 deposit). The butcher bills processing separately, usually $250 to $500 depending on your cuts.
How much meat do you get from a whole hog?
Around 160 lbs of meat from a hog that hangs around 220 lbs. Bone-in versus boneless cuts and how much you turn into sausage change the final amount.
What is hanging weight?
Hanging weight is what the hog weighs at the butcher after it has been gutted, but before it’s cut up. That’s the weight you’re charged on.
Is the butcher’s processing fee included?
No. Our price per pound covers the hog. The butcher bills their cut-and-wrap fee separately, usually $250 to $500 for a whole hog depending on your cuts.
How much freezer space do I need for a whole hog?
About 9 cubic feet, which is about 4 large paper grocery bags full. A mid-size chest freezer works well.
When will my whole hog be ready?
We take hogs to the butcher every two weeks, so your hog goes in with our next batch. We’ll let you know when it’s ready to pick up.
How do I choose my cuts?
After you place your deposit, Trisha will call you to walk through your cuts so you get exactly what your family likes to cook.
Can I split a whole hog with friends or family?
Yes! Many families split a whole hog. Place one deposit, then tell Trisha on the cut call how you’d like it divided.
Are your hogs given antibiotics or hormones?
No. Our hogs are never given antibiotics or growth hormones. They are Certified Humane and raised on pasture on our regenerative farm.
Can I pick up my pork?
Pick up at our farm in Belgrade, MN, or get free delivery on orders of $150 or more along our route: Sauk Centre, Belgrade, St. Michael, Monticello, Maple Grove, Wayzata and Plymouth.