Fill Your Freezer with Healthy Grass Fed Beef

What is Certified Humane Raised and Handled®?

The Certified Humane Raised and Handled® program is a certification and labeling program that is the only animal welfare label requiring the humane treatment of farm animals from birth through slaughter. The goal of the program is to improve the lives of farm animals by driving consumer demand for kinder and more responsible farm animal practices. When you see the Certified Humane Raised and Handled® label on a product you can be assured that the food products have come from facilities that meet precise, objective standards for farm animal treatment.

Against the Wind Ranch received certification in 2005. We have to undergo rigorous inspections every year to maintain our status. Our butcher is also required to undergo yearly inspection.

What makes beef taste good?

The secret to great-tasting beef isn’t found just in the kitchen. For Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef, it begins with carefully bred and nurtured Black Angus cattle. Our cattle are allowed to live a natural lifestyle with a diet of grass and hay, access to sunlight, shelter, fresh water and exercise – from birth up to processing. Then, the old-fashioned dry-aging technique is employed to guarantee beef that is tender and full of flavor – from the prime cuts right down to the burger.

What makes Against the Wind Ranch Grass Fed Beef "Natural"?

We believe that cattle and other animals bred by man for human consumption should be allowed to live the “natural” lifestyle from birth up to processing, the same they would if humans weren’t involved in the process. We don’t give them any growth hormones or unnecessary antibiotics, and they are never fed any animal by-products. Of utmost importance, the handling and processing should be done humanely and with respect to the animals who provide us with sustenance. Our cattle have clean springs to drink out of, shelter in the winter and shade in the summer. They are fed grass instead of grains. They are never subjected to the physical and mental stress of a commercial feedlot – and this directly affects the quality of our meat for the better.

Why is grass-fed beef better, healthier and lower in fat?

Feeding cattle grass (and hay made from grass) is healthier for the animals and for humans. Few people realize that a high-grain diet can cause physical problems for ruminants—cud-chewing animals such as cattle, dairy cows, goats, bison, and sheep. Ruminant animals are designed to eat fibrous grasses, plants, and shrubs—not starchy, low-fiber grain.

Switching ruminants from their natural diet of grasses to grains also lowers the nutritional value of their meat and dairy products. Compared with grass-fed meat, grain-fed meat contains more total fat, saturated fat, and calories. It also has less vitamin E, beta-carotene, and two health-promoting fats called omega-3 fatty acids and “conjugated linoleic acid,” or CLA. The milk from dairy cows raised in confinement is similarly low in these nutrients. One result of our modern “advances” in animal technology is inferior food. Source: www.eatwild.com

How much does a cow weigh and how does that translate to the amount of beef I will receive if I buy beef in bulk?

A live steer, ready for processing, weighs an average of 1,000 to 1,200 pounds. For a 1,200-pound animal, an average pre-cut carcass weighs approximately 750 pounds; thus, a Half Beef is 375 pounds and a Quarter Beef (split side) is 188 pounds.

Please understand that you'll be buying a unique animal and final weights will vary. Our price is based on the pre-cut carcass weight. The actual weight you receive (table ready) will be less than the pre-cut carcass weight. You can expect the product weight to decrease by approximately 30-35 percent from pre-carcass weight to table ready.

How much beef does an average family eat?

Smaller families (2-4 people) who eat a moderate amount of beef will go through a Half Beef in about a year’s time. A Whole Beef is more appropriate for larger families (5+ people) with lots of hungry, growing kids.

Does freezing beef affect the taste?

Extensive research by Oklahoma State University and Kansas State University indicates that flash freezing of beef preserves the flavor, and in fact, even the most discriminating chef cannot tell the difference. Beef generally keeps best for up to one year frozen.

How much freezer space will I need?

A Whole Beef requires approximately 16 cubic feet of freezer space for storage (2'x4'x2').

Does Against the Wind Ranch Sell Individual Cuts of Beef?

We sell in bulk – A Whole, Half, or Quarter Beef (spilt side) and 20 Pound Sample Boxes (with a sample of all cuts – from the steaks right down to the burger!).

Who should buy a 20 Pound Beef Sample Box?

There are many reasons to buy the Sample Box – single people love them; they work well for out of state buyers; they make great gifts and they are also a good way to “sample” our beef before committing to a bulk order.

How do I order from Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef?

Our bulk beef can be ordered by the Whole Beef, Half Beef or Quarter Beef (split side). Bulk orders of a whole or half steer are custom cut, flash-frozen and shrink wrapped. Quarter steers (split sides) are available with standard cuts. Buyers can pick up their beef directly from the processing facility, or delivery/shipment can be arranged for an extra charge. Our 20 Pound Beef Sample Boxes are available at all times. All beef is sold frozen and vacuum-sealed. Give us a call at 540-396-4751 or send us an email through our Contact Us form below and we can guide you through the ordering process. We will provide handling instructions when you place your order. We require a 50% deposit upon placement of your order. We accept checks, money orders and credit cards through PAYPAL.

How much does Against the Wind Ranch Natural Beef cost?

BULK BEEF
• Whole Beef $3.50 per pound (pre-cut carcass weight)
• Half Beef $4.00 per pound (pre-cut carcass weight)
• Quarter Beef (split side) $4.50 per pound (pre-cut carcass weight)

BEEF BOX
• 20 Pound Beef Sample Box $300.00 plus UPS overnight shipping

How soon can I get my beef?

Order bulk beef today and you are reserving an animal in our current herd. We do not have processed inventory, we are raising them as you read this. Within 24 hours, we will let you know by e-mail or phone how long it will take to process your order. We can usually fill orders within 4-6 weeks of receiving your deposit. Our 20 Pound Grass Fed Beef Sample Boxes are available at all times.

OK, I am ready to order!

Give us a call at 540-396-4751, or email us and we can help you get started on your order!