HOW MUCH PACKAGED MEAT DOES ONE 100% GRASS-FED ANIMAL PRODUCE?

The average animal of between 900-1100 lbs will produce approximately 400 lbs of packaged beef.  According to the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, approximately one third of this beef consists of steaks, one third roasts, and one third ground beef and stew meat.  In the United States the average person consumes approximately 225 lbs of various meats per year.  Because many people cannot afford this amount of meat or are vegetarians, it is difficult to estimate the consumption of those who enjoy and can afford meat.  Many of our customers choose to share their order with a friend or relative.  The average 20 cubic foot home freezer can store between 700 and 800 lbs of beef. 

 

 

HOW MUCH DOES LOCALLY GROWN 100% GRASS-FED O X RANCH BEEF COST?

You may purchase an O X Ranch 100% Grass-fed Beef for $2.10 per pound live weight plus the cost of processing.   Many ask how it is possible to sell at this price when the price charged by retail stores, for what they identify as “grass-fed”, is often more than twice the price of feed-lot beef.  Although 100% grass-fed beef is much more expensive to produce, the O X Ranch is able to eliminate the large margin required by grocery stores.  Grocery stores need to cover their costs of acquiring expensive land, building expensive supermarkets and paying property taxes, insurance, utility and labor costs. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WET AND DRY-AGED BEEF?

Over 90 percent of beef is currently wet-aged which is considerably less expensive.  This process results in the beef being placed in plastic bags for a period of from 7 to 28 days while it is being shipped across the country to local wholesalers who then deliver it to the grocery stores.  Dry-aging enhances the flavor of beef and is currently used almost exclusively for premium beef products which are provided to high priced restaurants.

HOW WELL DOES YOUR BEEF GRADE?

We also send some of our cattle to the feedlot.  We are pleased to say that we have produced some of the highest-graded beef in the industry.  The industry average in 2007 was less than 50% Prime or Choice.  We had 84% Prime or Choice as shown below.  Grass-fed beef will, of course, not grade as high because of its lean nature, but the performance of the rest of our herd (that goes to a feedlot) is clearly an indication of the general health of our animals.