beefy questions
Are your cattle grass finished?
Yes, our cattle graze on native range and irrigated pasture all year. We manage our pastures and cattle supplies so they finish out on pasture. Our cattle never receive grains or concentrated feeds. Nor do they receive any hormones or antibiotics.
How do you ship your beef?
We ship our beef frozen and packed in insulated containers via personal delivery or overnight courier. Beef can stay frozen in these containers for 24 -48hours so don’t worry if you are not home for delivery. Orders are packed in insulated boxes with frozen gel packs to help maintain a safe temperature during shipment. Once the order is left at the delivery address, meat should be frozen or used immediately.
What should I know about shipping?
Most orders will be delivered within 5-7 business days. Once shipped, you'll receive tracking information. Most orders in CA, AZ and NV are sent out via overnight courier others are shipped via UPS Air. Our shipping department sends out orders on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to ensure orders do not sit over the weekend if they are delayed. Orders local to our Turlock, CA warehouse are usually delivered on Mondays and Fridays.
What is the best way to cook grass fed beef?
As you may know, the fat in grass fed beef is less saturated than the fat in conventional beef (It is also much higher in Omega 3 fatty acids). That means that this fat will liquefy at a lower temperature so grass fed beef will cook faster than what you may be used to with conventional beef. It is best to use the rule of 25’s: 25 degrees less heat and 25% less time. That will help you consistently have a great eating experience.
Do you have meat available all year?
Yes, we manage our pasture and our cattle so we can harvest cattle all year. We do sell out from time to time, but that is always temporary.
What breeds of cattle do you use?
Our cattle are predominantly Angus and Angus Cross-Bred. We use what are referred to as English Breeds. These are breeds developed in the UK many years ago, and they tend to be a little smaller and fatten easier than other breeds. We use them because they fatten out better on grass than more exotic or “Continental Breeds” that are larger and leaner.
How do you slaughter your cattle? Is it Humane?
We harvest (we prefer that term) at a USDA inspected facility. It is a small plant in Merced, CA that harvests a few head at a time so our cattle can easily be kept separate from other cattle that are not grass fed. This facility complies with all regulations from the USDA for humane slaughter, and takes special care to treat animals with respect and care.
What are the nutritional benefits of grass-fed vs. conventional?
Grass-fed beef (GFB) is generally a healthier options for the following reasons:
- 6 oz of GFB has about 100 fewer calories than 6 oz of conventionally raised beef.
- GFB is lower in “bad fat” like saturated and trans fats.
- GFB is higher in Omega-3 fatty acids which have been linked to decreased risk of heart attack, Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
How long is your beef good in the freezer?
As long as the packaging remains intact, beef can safely stay in the freezer for over a year or more. For the best eating experience, we recommend that you eat your beef within 6 months.
Can we come visit your ranch?
Yes you can! Although we aren’t set up for formal tours if you wish we could set up a time and day for you to come see us at one of our ranches. As long as you don’t mind bouncing around on the back of an ATV we will gladly show you what we do. You can also visit our online tours here.
Can we pick up beef instead of shipping it?
We don't have a retail location for picking up orders. All our beef is stored and packed off the ranch at our warehouse in Turlock, CA. We periodically have a pop up market at our warehouse and you can pick up from us on those days.