FAQs

Yes we do! Our steers are processed at a USDA licensed facility in Luling. Each vacuum sealed package meets all labeling requirements outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture and are kept frozen until received by you.

Our beef is kept in freezers at our ranch office. Once you place an order with us we will schedule a pickup date/time with you or, depending on your location and quantity, we can schedule a delivery to you. We do not ship beef at this time.

No we don’t. Due to the asymmetrical nature of a cows carcass, it is impossible for us to split a half and distribute the cuts of meat equally. Thus, we prefer that the customer handle this on their own.

No, not all of it. We do, however, want to make sure that all of our customers are committed to the purchase. Therefore we ask for a significant deposit to help cover the cost of health and feed needs throughout the finishing process. The second and final invoice will be sent when your share is ready for pickup. We require all balances be paid prior to taking delivery of your beef. If a customer decides not to complete the purchase after making a deposit, we will retain $500 for whole shares and $250 for half shares.”

Very rough prices: $4600/whole and $2400/half. The cost of purchasing a whole or half share varies based on a few things that are recorded when we take your deposit.

• current market prices of cattle
• current cost of feed purchased to finish the steer
• fees charged by the butcher as listed on the butcher’s invoice when complete
• our margin

The price for a share is set by the following:

1. First, we look at what the market price of a comparable sized steer. This is what we would get if we simply sold him at auction.
2. Second, we calculate the amount of feed it will take to feed the steer out to the desired weight which is typically around 1300 lbs.
3. Third, each processor charges various fees depending on how you get the steer processed. There is always a harvest fee, a per pound fee (based on hanging weight), along with other fees depending on how you have your steer carved and value added services such as and not limited to tenderizing or making ground patties.
4. Finally, we have to make a little bit for our efforts of feeding and caring for the steer for 6 months, hauling them to the processor, picking the boxed meat up, delivering it to you, and all the other administrative tasks that go along with the process. This is accomplished by adding a small percentage markup.

There are 3 terms that must be understood to answer this question. “On the hoof” or live weight, hanging weight, and packaged weight which is what is boxed up and taken home. On the hoof or live weight is what the animal weights alive when it comes off the trailer. Hanging weight is what the carcass weighs after being harvested, the organs removed, as well as the head and feet removed. Finally, packaged weight is the amount of beef you take home.

The following is a rough example:
Steer comes off the trailer at 1300 lbs. You would expect its hanging weight to be 60% of the live weight. Hanging weight in this example would be approximately 780 lbs. This is the weight that the processor is going to charge their per pound processing fee. Finally, packaged weight of the carved and boxed up beef is approsimately 60% of hanging weight. In this example you should expect a whole share to render approximately 468 lbs of beef. A half share would get approximately 234lbs of beef.

Take the all-in price you pay for your share and divide it by the packaged weight of your beef.

Example: If you pay $2400 for a half share and get 234lbs of beef, your per pound cost is $10.25. A little pricey for ground beef but a steal for ribeyes and other premium cuts. Believe us, it is worth it if you have the freezer space and love to eat beef!

The following is a general rule of thumb for freezer requirements:

• Half share: 8-10 cubic feet
• Whole share: 16-20 cubic feet

Upright vs. chest freezer consideration? Chest freezers are more efficient and hold more beef but are more difficult to organize. Upright freezers take up less space and provide better organization since beef can be placed in individual bins on shelves.

There is something truly special about raising cattle—it is a way of life that teaches patience, humility, and an unwavering respect for God’s creation. Every sunrise brings a new opportunity to care for the herd, tend the land, and continue a tradition that has been passed down through generations. The long days, calloused hands, and countless sacrifices are all worth it because they lead to something meaningful: providing food for families in our community. There is no greater reward than knowing the beef we raise with care, integrity, and compassion will gather loved ones around the dinner table, creating memories over a meal we helped provide. Raising cattle isn’t just about producing beef; it’s about honoring the land, caring for the animals, and serving others with a grateful heart. It’s a legacy of hard work, faith, and love—one that our family has been blessed to live for almost 150 years, right here.