HOME-GROWN ORGANIC BEEF At the McKeen Family Farm, we raise and sell home-grown organic/naturally raised beef by the side, mixed quarter or freezer pack. Our beef is raised on our family farm pastures here in Greendale, grass fed and finished with a bit of flatted barley, apples and plums from our fruit trees. Although we use no growth hormones or steroids and our beef is raised organically, it is not certified organic. All beef is provincially inspected, and hung by our local butcher for minimum 14 days before being cut and wrapped to our specifications. We are very particular about the way our animals are cared for, fed, slaughtered, hung, and cut and wrapped in order to ensure the very best flavor and greatest tenderness possible. The animals are just over a year old and around 1000 to 1200 lbs when butchered, so a side of beef normally weighs between 250 and 350 lbs “on the rail”. A mixed quarter, which contains cuts from both the front and hind quarters, weighs approximately 150 lbs. In a “MIXED QUARTER” of beef, you will get the following, cut, wrapped and frozen, ready for your freezer. These numbers are approximate and depend on the rail weight of the animal but this will give you an idea of what you can expect. Steaks are prepared 2 per package, cut 3/4" thick and include: The mixed quarter cut as above is a standard cut. If you order a side of beef, our butcher can custom cut to your specifications. For example, we order our own side cut with thicker steaks (1¼”) and burger in 2 lb. packages. (Custom cutting is not available on mixed quarters) Price varies with the market - currently our price for a side or quarter is $3.50 per pound, rail weight, which includes the cut & wrap charges. Compare elsewhere from $3.89 - $4.98 per pound for naturally raised beef in the Fraser Valley area! Even with significant increases to our cut/wrap, fuel and grain costs this year, we have tried to keep our pricing modest for our loyal clients! The term "rail weight" or "dressed weight" refers to the total weight of the side as it hangs "on the rail" at the butcher shop before cutting. Sides and quarters of beef are sold in this manner. This is different than the ready-to-cook weight pricing you will find at grocery stores. As fresh beef is aged and prepared for your use, it loses weight in the form of moisture, as well as from the removal of fat and bones. Because of this, the actual amount of beef you receive is in the range of 30 to 40% less than the quoted rail weight. Our prices, which are based on rail weight, have been set with this weight reduction in mind. |
LOOKING FOR A SMALLER PORTION? TRY OUR FREEZER PACKS FOR ONLY $99! Freezer Packs are a great way to try out our product in a smaller portion. In a $99 freezer pack you will receive the following:
(Freezer packs contents sometimes vary with the cuts available. If splitting up a $1000 side of beef, we make ten equal freezer packs, and they will average between 15- 18 lbs each, depending on the cuts available). We try to have Freezer Packs in stock and available for pick up in the Pottery Showroom, so drop by to pick one up for just $99, or call ahead to reserve one. We normally butcher in June and again in late August, Spetember,October, and November. We have a list of about 100 returning customers and have been selling beef this way for 13 years. Each year, we raise a few more to keep up to the demand and new customers and we now have 45 head grazing on our farm, including our Momma cows! What our Customers Say About our Home-Grown Naturally Raised Beef:"Holly & Ken, your beef is incredibly succulent. I know we would both like to be on your list again for early autumn!" Dorothy Harvey, Galliano Island   If you have any further questions or would like to order a side or quarter of beef, give us a call at 604-823-6430 or email us at mckeenfarm@shaw.ca. |
