Monday, August 29, 2011

My first delve into the Grassfed, Organic Beef Market

This is what I posted on craigslist today...let me know if you're interested!

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/grd/2572060182.html

This bull is a Gelbveigh. He would be great as a bull, or a meat steer. Since he's grassfed, We'll wait a few more months to castrate him, so he gets the growth hormones naturally, but not the sexual hormones that come with puberty. The calf is three months old, and just under 200 pounds. I'll post more pictures as I can. The large bull is his daddy, and the cow in the back is his momma. Stay tuned for better pictures!
In case you're infamiliar with the breed, here is a bit of information: They're large. And fairly rare for this area. If you breed a Gelbviegh to a Black Angus, you get a Balancer. Gelbvieghs are highly sought after in the meat market, but are usually too expensive to find in your average grocery store.
This particular bull has perfect confirmation. Both parents are on site. He's never had a bit of grain in his life, and has more than enough grass. Fresh, untreated water flows every day. We do not use hormones or antibiotics, and our fields don't receive an ounce of pesticides or fertilizer (except for what the cows naturally leave behind.) All of our cows have a trace mineral lick available, and are treated as pets until it's their time to feed families.
Here is how the meat pricing works:

1. A $150 non-refundable deposit is required, to cover the cost of castration
2. You tell us at what weight or age you'd like your cow slaughtered. If you round him up and deliver him to Central meats (off of Kempsville, and the most humane slaughter house I've found) there's no transport charge. If we do it, the cost is $50.
3. Each cow crosses the scale just before slaughter...that's when you know exactly what they weight, and how much you'll pay. We will charge you the WHOLESALE price for grassfed, organic meat on the day of slaughter. Basically, you're cutting out the markup from the few stores that carry this type of meat. Plus, you know for sure what you're getting. You can even visit if you'd like!

4. You are responsible for creating the list of how you'd like your meat cut...that's the best part! You can tell them how thick, how much hamburger, if you'd like the bones for your dogs...you get to decide the cuts you want.
5. Central meats charges a slaughter and packaging charge, just like any other grocery store. When you pay me for the meat, I will release it from Central to you.
The best way to make this work, unless you have a sub-zero, stand-alone freezer, is to go in with family, friends, neighbors...anyone who would like truly grassfed, organic meat. And who wants to save significant money in the process.
Please email me with any questions!



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