ABOUT OUR CATTLE & GRASS FED BEEF
There are a ton of questions surrounding what grass fed beef is, what the health benefits are, and why it is the best choice for your family. We have put a few of the most common questions we get below in our Frequently Asked Questions section. If you have questions that are not covered here please feel free to contact us anytime and we can answer your specific questions directly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT GRASS FED BEEF
We raise our Angus Beef in the most casual, stress-free environment. They are not out in the wild walking for miles looking for food, then to be chased by a pack of coyotes or other predators. Our cows/steers walk a very short distance while grazing. They get full, and then lay down peacefully and chew their cud. They are not headstock confined in tight rows, with feces piling up to their knees while being fattened up on low-grade feed. We keep about 15 head of cattle in lush pastures, rotating fields every 7-10 days to provide new, green forage.
With our high protein, high sugar content pastures the meat does not have the same gamey taste that other grass-fed-finished beef can have. Our animals spend their entire life on rich irrigated pastures.
With our beef, you can choose the processing method and the specific processing company. Ideally, the butcher will come to our ranch and perform a stress-free field kill. The animal is quietly approached, (they are very used to humans) and immediately killed using a firearm. There is no stress prior. The carcass is then hoisted up off the ground, tagged as to belonging to the specific buyer, field-dressed, and placed in a refrigerated enclosed trailer, while remaining suspended without contact with the ground or floor. The carcass is then transported to the processing facility for finishing. The butcher will get specific instructions from the buyer as to what type of cuts, thicknesses, etc. Your beef is then processed into your favorite cuts. If you like more roasts or steaks, you choose. You choose the thickness, how many steaks per package, how thick, how many pounds of ground beef per package.
We at RRR feel the method used for “field kill” is more humane and results in a better finished product than other methods commonly used. Traditionally, and most commonly, cattle are transported to slaughterhouses, packed tightly in a confined trailer, corralled tightly together for days, then walked through a processional before they are stunned, hung, bled-out, and then processed. This is very stressful on the cattle and causes a sharp rise in the levels of adrenaline, cortisol, hormones, glycogen, and lactic acid. These all greatly affect the taste, odor, and freshness of the finished meat.
You can purchase from us a quarter, half, or whole animal. Once the processing is made according to specifications, the meat is sealed, wrapped, and frozen awaiting pick-up or delivery to the customer. If purchasing less than a whole, you will need to wait till we have the entire animal sold. Once the entire animal is spoken for and paid for, it belongs to you. You are in control of the processing. When the butcher if finished with your portion they will call you for pick up and pay him for his services.
You will need about 4cu. ft. of freezer per ¼ of animal. A 1500-pound steer will yield around 600lbs. of finished meat. This will require about a 15-17cu.ft. freezer.
Currently the selling price of a steer is $2/lb. on the hoof, (others charge up to $2.50). We will, as a convenience to you, arrange for the field slaughter with a mobile butcher. You specify what cuts you would like and you will pick up the finished meat. The cost of the butchering will be incurred by you, paid directly to the butcher, at approximately $875 if purchasing a whole beef. If purchasing a ¼ beef, the processing fee will be approximately $175. If purchasing ½ beef, the processing fee is $437.50. Your finished wrapped weight will be approximately 35% to 40% of live weight. Example: a 1500lbs. steer will yield around 525lbs to 600lbs of finished meat.
We invite you for a ranch tour in person, if you would like, and even select your steer.
Stress can come from physical or emotional mistreatment such as occurs by mass commercial-type production. In a free-range situation such as you’ve seen along highways or in open wildland, the cattle are also subjected to predators such as coyotes, mountain lions, etc. It is very stressful to be threatened or chased by any of these, as is the case if it were to happen to yourself. Our cattle are treated with kindness and protected from dangers, while still having full freedom to graze and move about freely in large green pastures.
The Journal of Animal Science and researchers at the University of Milan’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine recently confirmed that fear experienced during slaughter significantly elevates meat’s levels of stress hormones—adrenaline, cortisol, and other steroids. Published Aug 25, 2011
When the ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 is any higher than 4:1, serious health problems can occur such as heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, and more.
The fact is, modern grain-fed beef can have a ratio of 20:1 or even higher! Grain-fed beef is deficient in healthy omega-3’s but it’s loaded with omega-6s, which are extremely unhealthy at these high levels.
There is a healthier ratio (3 to1) of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids in grass fed beef and contains high levels of antioxidants like vitamins E and A. https://nutritiouslife.com/eat-empowered/grass-fed-beef-organic-beef-healthier
LOCAL GRASS FED BEEF
We are proud to provide world-class grass feed beef here in Prescott, AZ. Our cattle graze on our farm near Granite Mountain and benefit from the vibrant grass and vegetation that is native to Northern Arizona. Your beef is never frozen and shipped!
HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS FEED
Not all grass fed beef is equal. Just like people who eat a steady diet of vegetables may get more vitamins and nutrients than those who don’t; organic vegetables are always best. Our cattle get only organic and native grass and alfalfa in the winter months.
HUMANELY RAISED CATTLE
Factory farming is a huge issue when it comes to how people get their meat. Our process includes completely humane practices from grazing all the way to butchering. This ensures that our cattle have a great life and that the meat is not tainted with adrenaline.