"Concierge Butcher":

You can have the benefits of buying a whole cow without having to do all of the work

Buying a whole cow can be intimidating, I mean geez that’s about 350 to 400 pounds of meat!! And with a whole cow comes a bunch of extra cuts that you don’t typically get at the grocery store like suet and knuckle bones. So where do you even begin?

Have you wanted to buy a whole cow and been overwhelmed with the process. Well, why don’t you leave the hard work to me! I understand this industry and love sharing my passion for high-quality meat, so let me organize all the logistics.

You’ll have access to grass-fed, grass-finished beef at a competitive price to the grocery store because you will benefit from the advantages of buying a whole cow, but without all the headaches. I’ll convert those “off-cuts” you have no idea what to do with to everyday products like bone broth and tallow and prepare your order for an easy and convenient experience.

You’re essentially joining a “club” that’s splitting a cow together. Welcome to the meat club!

 

Why Buy Your Meat from Us?

1. Support local farms: Don't you want to know where the food you eat is coming from? Most meat at the grocery store is shipped from out of the state and even out of the country. It’s shocking how far some meat in the grocery stores is traveling. In fact, meat can be labeled “Product of the USA” as long as some part of the production process took place within the U.S. A cow from Brazil can get packaged in a U.S. facility allowing it to be called a “Product of the USA.”
2. More economical: Many grocery stores have a “boxed beef” system. This means that they purchase only the cuts they want, which are typically your high-end steaks (ribeyes, filet mignons, NY strips, etc.).  But, last I checked, there’s a heck of a lot more to a cow than just these cuts. So, the higher price at the grocery store is reflective of all of these other cuts that they aren’t utilizing. 
3. From an “ethical” perspective, you are respecting the animal that is providing you with nourishment by utilizing the whole animal.
4. Customized experience: You can reserve certain cuts and have your order ready for pick-up. Think of this as a concierge butcher…don’t know what to do with a Denver steak or intimidated by braising beef shanks, reach out…I love chatting about meat and am here to help you along your meat journey.
5. More variety: You can broaden your meat horizons. The limited selection at many butcher counters at grocery stores has limited your beef possibilities. There’s a whole world of beef that’s waiting for you: picanha, tallow, and if you’re feeling adventurous…liver and heart!

 

Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed:

Cattle are ruminants, which means that their natural diet includes grass and hay, plants that humans are not able to eat. All cows are technically raised on grass, but many beef cattle are taken to feedlots to finish on supplemental grain, such as corn or soybeans. These cattle put on more weight very quickly before being processed and this weight is typically in the form of excess fat. Grass-fed beef however are never provided supplemental grain resulting in a longer time to reach finishing weight. This extra time it takes to raise grass-fed beef is one reason why the cost of grass-fed beef is higher. 

Grain fed cows are technically unhealthy animals. They often reach unnatural levels of obesity, which can be great for a nice juicy steak, but not so great for the cow’s health or your health. Many of these cows spend time on extremely crowded feedlots, which can serve as breeding grounds for disease requiring the use of antibiotics.

Nutritional Differences:

Grass-fed, grass-finished beef contains higher levels of vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and E, as well as certain minerals, like iron and zinc. It contains more antioxidants (carotenoids and tocopherols) and phytochemicals, while having lower total and saturated fat. You’ll notice that the fat of grass-fed beef is more yellow, this is due to the higher levels of beta-carotene. These phytochemicals and antioxidants contribute to our overall well-being, impacting our immune system, GI health, and even provide more satiety.

Grass-fed beef has a more ideal omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid profile, a ratio of 1.5:1. Compared that to grain-fed animals which can range from 7:1 to 16:1. This difference is largely due to the fact that grass-finished beef is eating a species-appropriate diet, making it more similar to wild game. It is recommended that our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio is around 1:1, however many modern, western diets have ratios of around 16:1! While grass-fed beef has lower levels of omega-6 fats, it contains higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid, a fat that is associated with prevention of cancer, heart disease, inflammation, and many other conditions.

Taste Differences:

Some say grass-fed beef tastes more “game-y” than grain-fed beef. But, I prefer to say that grass-fed beef is what beef should really taste like. In my opinion, grain-fed beef has been engineered (via a diet that cows would not naturally have been exposed to) to taste a particular way. A key to enjoying grass-fed beef is learning how to properly prepare it. Take a look at some of the cooking tips and techniques to ensure that you fully enjoy your grass-fed beef!

 

Our Farms:

Veteran's Liberty Ranch | Rhome, TX

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Veteran’s Liberty Ranch practices rotational grazing and regenerative practices. A cool aspect of regenerative farming is that it actually sequesters carbon; the cows are moved in a way that allows grass to grow back after being grazed while also naturally fertilizing the land with their waste. Grass-fed cows are actually putting carbon back into the earth despite what many people may have you believing. The cattle are also antibiotic and hormone free. This ranch has selected Longhorns because of their hardiness and adaptability, allowing them to maintain weight even in difficult times like drought. They are more suited for the Texas climate and are very disease-resistant which means that antibiotics are not needed. This is a great example of selecting a breed that is well-suited for its environment!