How does the price of British White Boutique Beef compare to my local grocer's prices?

What are some other things I should know about grocery store beef?

How much will my British White Boutique Beef cost on an average per pound ?

I've heard that Grassfed Ground Beef is the best there is.  Is this true?

How much or how little natural grassfed beef can I order?

How do I order my Nightingale Natural Grassfed Beef or Sir Scotty Natural Grassfed Beef?

How do I pay for my natural grassfed beef?

What slaughter facility will be used to process my beef?

Will J.West Cattle Company deliver my natural grassfed beef?

What do I need when  I pick up my natural grassfed beef?

What size home freezer do I need?

What cuts of beef can I expect?

Can I visit the farm and see the animals?

I have more questions, what should I do?

How does the price of British White Boutique Beef purchased direct from the ranch compare to your local grocer's prices?
The average price of all retail beef cuts in the USA was $3.77 in 2007.  Purchasing direct from the ranch, you have the added knowledge of where the beef comes from, how it was raised, and deciding how you'd like it cut and packaged, and for 2008 the average cost of British White Boutique Beef is comparable to average U.S. retail pricing for conventionally raised grainfed beef. 

What are some other things I should know about grocery store beef?
Beef from your local grocer is raised in confinement on 99% grain and other odd things, like expired candy bars (wrappers and all) and other factory production and human food waste products, and the beeves are regularly fed antibiotics and implanted with hormones to speed growth.  As well, your local grocer's beef will likely have added water and added vitamins/chemicals to maintain its fresh appearance for as long as possible on the shelf.  Buying direct from the farm, you won't be feeding your family anything but pure naturally grown beef that will amaze you with its bright red color and its long shelf life in your own refrigerator.

How much will my natural grassfed beef cost on an average per pound ?
The price is calculated based on carcass hanging weight.  For 2008, the price is $2.20 a pound for Nightingale Grassfed Beef, plus the per pound cost of processing at the designated slaughter facility.   The carcass hanging weight is generally about 60% of the live animal weight.  For a live 900 lb. beeve, you can expect a carcass hanging weight of about 550 lbs.  Typically the cut out percentage (meat you take home)  is approximately 75% of hanging weight.  A 900 pound beeve will result in approximately 400 pounds of meat you take home. Processor costs vary from $.45 lb and up and are calculated by the slaughter facility based on carcass hanging weight. 

 Example:  Your per pound cost of beef on a 900 lb. beeve with a carcass hanging weight of 550 lbs, would be 550 x $2.20 per lb, or $1210.  Add the locker plants processing costs of a minimum .45 cents per pound of carcass hanging weight @550 lbs, or $248, for a total of $1458 for approximately 400lbs of meat you take home, giving you an average cost of $3.65 per pound of healthy naturally raised beef in this example.   Average cost will vary with individual beeves.

I've heard that Grassfed Ground Beef is the best there is.  Is this true?
Absolutely.  Hamburgers made with grassfed beef are packed with flavor, don't pop and spit and shrink on the grill or in the skillet.  If you generally use a lot of ground beef to feed your family, consider having a lot of the lower end roast cuts made into ground beef instead.  Grassfed ground beef makes great hamburger,  tacos, spaghetti, enchiladas, and more; and you never have to "pour off the grease" as so many recipes indicate.  The fat in grassfed beef is healthy and minimal, you want your family to have it for dinner.

How much or how little beef can I order?
Customers may order a whole, half, or quarter.  However, the beef cannot be scheduled for processing without a minimum order of a half.  We encourage you to partner up with friends and co-workers to purchase a whole. 

How do I order my Nightingale Natural Grassfed Beef or Sir Scotty Natural Grassfed Beef?
Call Jimmie West at 409-837-2338 and check on current availability.  Depending upon the time of year, Jackson's Packing, 409-423-5317, may require processing to be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks in advance, so it's important that you reserve your beeve and get it placed on the schedule for processing.  If you're uncertain about the process of buying beef direct from the farmer, please review Oklahoma State University's handy guide to buying freezer beef at this link BUYING BEEF FOR HOME FREEZERS - OSU .

How do I pay for my beef?
A deposit is required to reserve your beef.  A deposit of $50 per quarter, $100 per half, $200 per whole beef.  This deposit is non-refundable after 30 days.  Both the deposit and the final payment can be made via PayPal.  Final payment is due as soon as the butcher establishes the actual carcass hanging weight, and you will be invoiced via email for the balance due on your beeve.   

The cost per pound to process your beef is paid directly to the slaughter facility the day you pick up your grassfed beef, or payable in advance to J.West Cattle Company prior to delivery of your beef.

What slaughter facility will be used to process the beef?
In Texas, as in many parts of the USA, there has been a big decline in the number of small slaughter facilities, or "locker plants" as they were once generally called.  The closest locker plant to the Ranch is Jackson's, 409-423-5317, in Call, Texas.  Their processing charge is a $20 Fee per animal, plus .45cents a pound for processing.  Jackson's meat is packaged in butcher paper only.  If you have a preference for a particular person or facility who does custom processing, please call and I'm sure we can accommodate your request, but there may be an extra charge for transport, and under no circumstances will the beeve be delivered for processing more than an ~3 hour drive from the ranch.

Will J.West Cattle Company deliver my  beef?
Yes, this can be arranged for a fee to the Lufkin, Beaumont, and Houston areas.

What do I need when  I pick up the beef?
You'll need an adequate number of coolers or box storage to hold the beef and keep it cool for your trip home.

What size home freezer do I need?
A whole beef will average 350 to 400 pounds of beef, enough for a family of four for one year.  An 18-21 cubic foot freezer can easily handle this much beef.

When can I expect my beef to be ready?
 Your beef will be ready for processing anywhere from two weeks to six weeks, depending upon the season of the year, and the length of the aging process.  The beef is usually ready for pick up two weeks after slaughter. We will let you know when it's ready via phone or email.

What cuts of beef can I expect?
There are traditional cuts of beef from the carcass, as well as a few new ones, such as the Flat Iron steak.  Click this link for a diagram of the major beef cut areas of a carcass.  As well, a questionnaire will be provided for you to complete indicating what you'd like.  To some extent, the new specialty cuts such as Flat Iron Steaks are limited by the butcher's general preferences and skills.  Grassfed beef is much leaner than conventional  100% grainfed feedlot finished beef, so you should expect lean steaks, roasts, and hamburger, etc..., meat more comparable to that of a deer harvested straight from the woods. 

Can I visit the ranch and see the animals?
Absolutely, visitors are always welcome and encouraged.  The British White breed is extremely docile and visitor friendly.

I have more questions, what should I do?
Call Jimmie West at 409-837-2338, or send an email with your questions. 

"Many people confuse pasture-raised animal products with organic products. An organic label does not guarantee that animals spent most of their time on pasture. It simply means the animals had access to pasture, weren't given antibiotics, hormonal implants or injections, and their feed whether grass, hay or grain was organically certified. These rules allow organic meat and dairy producers to feed their animals significant amounts of grain, a proven way to speed their growth and increase milk production. The more grain in a ruminant's diet, however, the lower the amount of omega-3s, CLA, vitamin E and beta carotene in their products. . . "

Pasture Perfect, By Jo Robinson

     There are as well beef products that claim to be 'Natural'  at your local grocery store these days.  Natural would appear to mean that the animal received no hormone implants or antibiotics.  While that's certainly commendable and desirable, it is in no way a grass fed or finished beef product with all the accompanying nutritional benefits gained by 100% grass fed beef that is likewise free of antibiotics and hormone implants.  A steer in a feedlot eating 100% 'natural' corn will not result in nutritionally healthy beef.