Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about our practices
Is it organic?
The law allows diet to determine whether an animal is "organic" or not. We do not believe that diet alone is the most important concern. As we know from our own lives, it is far more important to have a healthy lifestyle and disposition than it is to only eat organic. The bigger picture includes (in order of importance) sanitation, green pasture, sunshine and fresh air, naturally sized groups and general comfort, low stress, marketed and processed in the cleanest and most respectful and humane way, and finally diet. The term "organic" is simply non-comprehensive. In short, we believe production and processing account for 80% of quality, diet 20%.
How do you raise your animals?
All of our animals enjoy living outdoors. Our poultry are raised free range on pasture with shelters that are moved daily onto fresh grass. The birds have lots of room to run while still having the shelters to give them shade from the sun and protection from rain. The range area and the shelters are surrounded with wire mesh to protect the birds from predators. By moving the pens, the birds have access to fresh vegetative grass at all times. This gives our flocks a clean healthy environment to thrive in. The birds are also fed free choice, high quality grain.
Questions about our products
What cuts are included in a quarter beef and how much does it cost?
Contents:
Beef quarters range from 80lbs to 120lbs depending on the size of the animal. Beef quarters include about 35% ground, 20% steaks, 30% roasts/braise, and 15% bones and organ meats. Steaks include bone-in rib eye steaks, tenderloins (filet mignon), NY steaks, top sirloin steaks, chuck eye steaks, flat iron steak, skirt or flank steak, and tri-tip steaks. Roasts include approximately one each of rump, top round, eye of round, cross rib, and sirloin tip roast. Braise includes london broil, short ribs, brisket, and pieces cut for stew.
Steaks are packaged 2 steaks per package. Roasts weigh approximately 2.5 to 3.5 lbs each. Ground beef is packaged in approximately 1 lb packages. Packages are double-wrapped in one layer of plastic and one layer of paper and should keep for up to one year in the freezer (as long as the temperature is kept below zero degrees farenheit).
One quarter of beef will take up approximately 2.5 cubic feet (small quarter) to 3.5 cubic feet (large quarter) of freezer space. Some people choose not to take the knuckle bones and organ meats which saves about 0.75 cubic feet freezer space. You do not receive a price discount if you choose not to take these items.
Pricing:
We calculate the price of each quarter based on the actual weight the customer receives (i.e. finish weight). Some animals yield a lower ratio of meat to bone than others, resulting in a lower amount of meat for the customer. Because of this, we think the most fair way to price meat is to base it on the finished weight, not the hanging weight. This way, our customers get what they pay for.
The total price per pound varies by quarter, depending on the ratio of higher priced cuts to lower priced cuts in each particular quarter. For example, some quarters have a slightly higher ratio of steaks or other higher priced cuts than other quarters resulting in a slightly higher total price per pound for the quarter. We weigh the number of pounds of each cut in a quarter and multiply those weights by our retail prices. Then we take 30% off that number to arrive at the price you pay. Our retail prices are what you would expect to pay at a whole or natural foods grocery store and are currently as follows:
| Rib Steak (bone-in rib eye) | $18.99 |
| New York Steak | $18.99 |
| Tenderloin Steak (Filet mignon) | $21.99 |
| Flat Iron Filet | $14.99 |
| Flank or Skirt Steak | $12.99 |
| Tri-Tip Steak | $12.99 |
| Chuck Eye Steak | $11.99 |
| Top Sirloin Steak | $11.99 |
| London Broil | $7.99 |
| Brisket | $7.99 |
| Short Ribs (regular cut) | $6.99 |
| Cut for Stew | $7.99 |
| Sirloin Tip Roast | $8.99 |
| Top Round Roast | $7.99 |
| Cross Rib Roast | $7.99 |
| Eye of Round Roast | $7.99 |
| Rump Roast | $7.99 |
| Ground Beef (90%) | $5.99 |
| Meaty Soup Bones | $3.99 |
| Knuckle Bones | $2.49 |
| Organ Meats | $2.99 |
What is “pasture raised poultry”?
Pasture raised poultry is a production system that employs raising chickens directly on pasture. The model has been developed over the last twenty years and allows the birds to receive up to 20% of their feed intake from pasture forage and bugs. It is typically found on small farms and does not lend itself well to large commercial operations.
Why Grass-Fed? -or- What makes your products so special?
When we feed animals their original (traditional) diet, we are feeding them food that is most in harmony with their digestive system. This naturally produces healthier animals. Meat and eggs from grass-fed animals supply our bodies with a natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, CLA and Beta-Carotene.
Free Range, grass fed animals produce lean meat that is very dense, tender, juicy and has wonderful flavor. Care must be taken not to over cook the meat since it is very lean. We are proud to provide you with the safest, healthiest meat possible.