Buying grass fed, local beef (Richardson, Rockdale: sales, organic, live)

[G Grasshopper]

I have heard of a few central Texas ranches that raise grass fed beef. I have been reading up on intensive rotational grazing and soil health programs, and its actually pretty interesting. Has anyone heard of families going it together to buy a whole cow that is divided between them?

[trayanh]

some farms have grass fed beef. I once bought a lot from sprouts. they are much much more tastey than those regurlarly sold in supermarkets, and smell great.

[spelrod]

I hope you have a huge freezer to store that much beef. I haven't tried splitting a cow with anyone, I'd ask around at a farmer's market.

Sprouts had a good deal on some grass fed beef when I was there one time until I saw it was from New Zealand. I buy my beef, poultry and eggs from Richardson Farms at the Triangle Farmer's Market every Wednesday. Their farm is out in Rockdale.

[JsTx0521]

Jim Richardson has great product. His pork is some of the best I've ever had, and trust me, I have had lots of it. Several restaurants in town use his product. If you can invest in it, you can order a custom cut bone in rib roll. It will cost you but if you have an extra fridge you can dry age it for about 2 weeks or more. be sure to wrap it in cheese cloth (2 or 3 layers) and dry on a rack where it can get good air circulation. It will become the best beef you have ever had. He does not dry age his beef. It is fresh and straight from butchering. He will occasionally have thick cut pork chops and tenderloin as well.

As far as what you are asking, are you talking about a cow share program?

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by JsTx0521

Jim Richardson has great product. His pork is some of the best I've ever had, and trust me, I have had lots of it. Several restaurants in town use his product. If you can invest in it, you can order a custom cut bone in rib roll. It will cost you but if you have an extra fridge you can dry age it for about 2 weeks or more. be sure to wrap it in cheese cloth (2 or 3 layers) and dry on a rack where it can get good air circulation. It will become the best beef you have ever had. He does not dry age his beef. It is fresh and straight from butchering. He will occasionally have thick cut pork chops and tenderloin as well.

As far as what you are asking, are you talking about a cow share program?

Richardson Farms ?
If so they sell at the Barton Creek Farmer's market and you can buy cuts.

I'd advise you to try some cuts first before you go off and buy a whole, 1/2 or 1/4. Grass fed beef cooks and tastes different then the typical supermarket beef.

Here's where you can locate farms. Some do direct sales (you buy part of the live cow and go to the butcher and pick up your finished cuts).

Freezers are not that expensive and come in quite handy. HD has a variety of freezers.

Local Harvest / Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA / Organic Food

[achtungpv]

You want to make sure that the cattle are truly grass fed and not grain finished.

I ordered once from Slanker's. I was very pleased with the product. I got the family pack, just checked the price and it's currently $170. Shipping was approximately ~$20. It comes vacuum packed and frozen solid packed in dry ice. I'll be ordering again once we get back from vacation next week.

Slanker's Grass-Fed Meats -- Meats you must eat for health

[yam]

I get grass-fed beef from PaiDom Meats Home. They deliver to a couple of drop points in town, once every two or three months. Pricing is best for an entire side of beef but is still reasonable at the per-pound quantity. They also provide pork, pastured chickens/eggs, and various other yummy natural stuff.

Send me a direct message if you're going to use them. There's a referral bonus in it for me

[TexasHorseLady]

Ross Farms not only raises grass-fed beef but they have seminars on soil health (which is vital to getting good beef). You can go out and see where your beef was raised, and how, and why.

[G Grasshopper]

I have read about Ross Farm, which is in Granger, although I haven't contacted them yet. (I don't have a freezer yet.) Thanks for all the suggestions. Now here's something unexpected - Premian Sea Organics in Imperial TX. There are other shrimp farming operations in TX, but this is the only one I know of that is organic- no chemicals or fish food. Anyone ever try this place?

[trayanh]

what's wrong with beef from New Zeland? Mad Cow disease???

I went to the triangle once, just don't like it, since they only take either cash or checks. I don't carry either cash or check everyday

Originally Posted by spelrod

I hope you have a huge freezer to store that much beef. I haven't tried splitting a cow with anyone, I'd ask around at a farmer's market.

Sprouts had a good deal on some grass fed beef when I was there one time until I saw it was from New Zealand. I buy my beef, poultry and eggs from Richardson Farms at the Triangle Farmer's Market every Wednesday. Their farm is out in Rockdale.