01/25/2023
-- Beef Available for March 2023 --
Now that I have given a quick breakdown of what goes into raising animals to butcher from a herd/ranch standpoint, I would like to go into more directly our ranch goals and direction with breeds and finishing for beef/pork.
Our breeding program for beef utilizes a variety of breeds for cows and we cover them with the Aberdeen Angus bulls. By having these 50% or more Aberdeen cattle genetics, means we can create a high quality and tasteful beef product for you. This breed is of smaller stature but not to be classified as a miniature. They are a gentle breed that is highly efficient for beef production. We have recently introduced a Hereford bull to add in some wonderful qualities in their genetics that they can produce before again switching back to an Aberdeen Angus bull.
We believe in being able to know where your beef comes from and how it is raised. We raise everything from birth to butcher out in pasture. We utilize a pasture rotation grazing system. This is healthier for the land and the cattle. It ensures our grasses grow strong, our ground doesn’t deteriorate, and the saying goes “to raise healthy cattle, one must raise healthy grass.” They are NEVER confined on a feedlot type of environment.
When we prepare them for butcher we separate those to be butchered and they get a whole pasture to themselves. We then supplement their pasture diet with grain for the last few months before butcher. I say supplement because we are not “Finishing” them on grain. They are finished on pasture and on grass. We give them just a small daily ration out in the pasture to balance the grass (some call “gamey”) flavor with the “grain” flavor that we are so accustomed to finding now in stores and restaurants. The cleanness and all natural flavors of grass finished beef is there but just a hint of sweetness to be more balanced. They are not fed so much that they pack on fat and that you lose the grass flavor completely. It is just an additive, supplement, to the grass. This combination creates exceptional flavor. All of this being said, if you desire to have strictly grass fed, grass finished, and no grain we can keep that steer separate and not receive any supplements.
Our animals are NEVER given any growth hormones. They are treated as humanely and stress free as possible. We avoid use of cattle prods and excessive harassment. Our cattle see us daily so that we can check on their health, keep them calm around us, and ensure none have succumbed to predators or sickness. I say all of this not because I’m a cow loving hippie, (though I do have some favorites, haha). I say this because, unknown to many, this all affects the flavor and tenderness of your beef. Having an animal be stressed – scared, angry – means that just like us humans, their muscles are going to contract/tighten to prepare for fight or flight. They are going to release adrenaline and other hormones, again in prepare for fight or flight. So by having cattle that are not stressed – scared, angry – means that the beef you receive is not going to by tough in texture and tainted in flavor.
We have an amazing butcher that we use that produces clean cuts, very accommodating to customers, and I am sure we get our own product back. If you order a half or a whole you get to fully customize your order which means, wrapping, steak sizes, roast sizes, ground beef, sausages, etc. Quarter orders have to be coordinated with the other quarter buyer to agree on cuts for dividing the half.
Whole beef: $5.80/lb hanging weight
Half beef: $5.95/lb hanging weight
Quarter beef: $6.00/lb hanging weight
(add on items have extra fee straight from butcher –, tenderizing, sausage, patties, etc)
We offer delivery in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with use of freezers and a generator to ensure it stays frozen from the butcher to you with no defrosts. We only charge our fuel for this service for vehicle and generator.
If you have any questions please let me know.
