Meishan Pig Meat-Share Program

Our pigs are raised with patience, respect, fresh air, and plenty of room to enjoy life on the ranch. We focus on responsible care and quality—not rushing animals through a commercial production system.  

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Why Meishan Pigs?  

Meishan pigs are a rare heritage breed known for their calm temperament and flavorful pork. Their meat is often prized for its rich color, tenderness and natural marbling. Choosing Meishan pork gives your family an opportunity to enjoy something very different from ordinary grocery-store pork while also supporting a small Arizona ranch and the preservation of a unique heritage breed.  

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When you purchase a meat share from Weeping Willows Ranch, you are doing more than filling your freezer. You are supporting a local ranch, helping us provide excellent care for our animals and investing in a more personal connection to your food.  

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How Our Meat Shares Work  

Purchasing a meat share means reserving a whole or half Meishan pig before it is processed. Instead of purchasing individual packages of meat, customers reserve a share of a pig before processing. Depending on availability, we may offer:  
 

• Whole-pig shares  

• Half-pig shares  

• Smaller family shares  
   

Your share may include a variety of cuts such as pork chops, roasts, ribs, bacon, sausage, and ground pork. The exact amount and selection will depend on the size of the animal, the share purchased, and your available processing choices.  
 

Estimated Pricing:  Ranch Price and Processing Fees 

Ranch pricing covers the cost of the animal (or portion of the animal) and harvesting expenses. Processing fees are charged separately, and they cover the cost of butchering your chosen meat share into your choice of cuts and packaging. 
 

A deposit holds your share, and the final ranch price is calculated using the pig’s actual hanging weight. (Hanging weight is the weight of the pig after harvesting and before it is cut, trimmed and packaged.) The amount of packaged pork you take home will be less than the hanging weight. Our estimated ranch price is:  
 

• Whole Meishan pig: Approximately $1,200–$1,800, plus processing  

• Half Meishan pig: Approximately $600–$900, plus processing  

• Estimated ranch price: $6 per pound of hanging weight  

• Deposit: $200 for a whole pig or $100 for a half pig  
   

These estimates are based on a whole-pig hanging weight of approximately 200–300 pounds. Every pig is different, so your final cost may be higher or lower.  
 

Processing Costs are charged separately and may cost approximately:  
 

• Whole pig: $350–$550  

• Half pig: $200–$350  
   

Your estimated combined cost, including the animal and standard processing may be:  
 

• Whole share: Approximately $1,550–$2,350  

• Half share: Approximately $800–$1,250
   

Final pricing depends on the pig’s hanging weight, your cutting instructions and the processor’s current fees.
 

What Will I Receive?  

Your share may include various cuts of meat and processing options, including:  
 

• Pork chops  

• Pork roasts  

• Spare ribs  

• Bacon or fresh pork belly  

• Ham or ham steaks  

• Ground pork  

• Breakfast sausage  

• Pork fat for rendering into lard  

• Soup bones and other requested cuts  
   

Before processing, you will complete a cutting order explaining how you would like your pork prepared, including the following options: 
 

• Chop thickness  

• Roast sizes  

• Fresh or cured ham  

• Package sizes  

• Bone-in or boneless cuts 
   

Specialty options such as smoked bacon, cured ham, linked sausage, flavored sausage, and vacuum-sealed packaging may cost extra.  
 

We are happy to help first-time customers understand the choices.  
 

Reserving Your Share  

Quantities are limited because we raise our pigs on a small scale with their health, comfort, and quality of life in mind.   Therefore, Meishan pork shares must be reserved in advance with a nonrefundable deposit. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

  

The reservation deposit is applied to the ranch portion of your final balance. The remaining ranch balance is due after the hanging weight is received. Processing fees are paid according to the processor’s requirements. Contact Weeping Willows Ranch for current availability, estimated processing dates and Arizona pickup information. 

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When Are Our Meishan Pigs Ready?  

Meishan pigs are generally ready for processing between 10 and 15 months of age. Because they are a slow-growing heritage breed, they take longer to mature than conventional commercial pigs. Processing dates are based on each pig’s weight, health, and body condition. Customers will receive an estimated processing timeframe when reserving their meat share, followed by updates as the date approaches.