Sunday, January 11, 2026

Beef 2026


Early last November I ordered another quarter of beef from the same place we always use, Wisconsin River Meats.  They were about to shut down for the next several weeks for deer processing so we were expecting a call around the middle of this month, which was not a problem for us.  In fact, last weekend my wife used the last of our beef, a round steak, to make beef jerky, then we got the call on Sunday afternoon that our beef was ready for pickup.  On Friday, my wife drove up to retrieve it.

Now, beef prices have risen quite a bit just like everything else at the grocery store so we knew we'd be spending quite a bit, but still expected it to be better quality and a better deal than any local grocery store.  We got 4 boxes of meat instead of the usual 3, so it was a bigger cow, too.  About 16 pounds bigger than our previous biggest, two orders ago in 2023.

Total cost was $1439.13 for about 159.1 lbs., to make it around $9.05 / lb.

Quite a jump from the last time in August of 2024 ($906.54 / 136.8 lbs. / $6.63), but about the same price per pound currently for a good, lean ground beef from the grocery store, so still a good deal for all cuts of meat we received.  (That would be 77 pounds of ground beef and 82 pounds of steaks, roasts and more.)  Not only cheaper but so much better quality than grocery store beef.

She didn't get too many of their processed meats this year; two pounds of dried beef, regular and garlic ring bologna, and some wieners.  But she did get some super fresh cheese curds just made that morning that were super-squeaky fresh and absolutely delicious.  If you know, you know.

We've gotten a quarter of a cow now every year since 2016, skipping 2020 and 2025 since it tends to last us for a bit more than a year.  We did have to look at some grocery store meat last month which just reaffirmed our choice to buy in bulk from a quality meat supplier.


So far it has been a pretty quiet start to the new year.  There's been a few things I've  thought about writing but nothing spectacular or of note, until this.  I do have a few pictures I may share later this week with other ramblings, but no one is missing anything.

How is your year so far?

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Happy New Year 2026

Happy 2026, everyone.  I slept in this morning, New Year's Eve day, and it was nice.  I was awake for a bit early, but stayed in bed and looked at my phone until I finally slept a couple more good hours.  Chasing a good, full night's sleep has been a constant for me in 2025.

Kate and I went out and had a nice lunch today, then came home to get into comfy clothes and bump up the thermostat.  It is a very gray day today (again), with snow flurries as well. The plan for us is to make beef tenderloin steaks with potatoes or pasta for dinner, with the newer Spinal Tap movie and a sweet treat to follow.  She is feeling a bit under the weather so will likely go to bed at a normal time or earlier while I will try to stay up and ring in the new year.  I may watch Dick Clark's Rockin' NYE on television or find some other interesting show for the countdown.  Anyway, just a quiet night in for us and likely the same for tomorrow.

How did you ring in the New Year?