Our Beef
What breed are your cattle?
We are committed to raising horned Hereford cattle to the utmost care and stewardship guided by nearly a centory of selective breeding practices. Our cows have been bred to herd sires diligently sourced from across the country. We strive to always improve our genetics through regular herd sorting to produce top quality Herefords.
How are your cattle raised?
All of our cattle are born and raised here on the ranch. Occasionally, we outsource new herd-sires and cows to improve upon our exceptional genetics.
Any steer purchased from Nyland Herefords will have been born and raised here on our ranch, benefiting from our commitment to animal husbandry in the open pastures of San Juan Batista, CA. With continuous desire to enhance our care practices and nutrition, we guaranteee our animals are of the highest quality on the market.
Any steer purchased from Nyland Herefords will have been born and raised here on our ranch, benefiting from our commitment to animal husbandry in the open pastures of San Juan Batista, CA. With continuous desire to enhance our care practices and nutrition, we guaranteee our animals are of the highest quality on the market.
What is their environment like?
Our steers enjoy a life of pasture grazing, ensuring a natural and stress-free environment. For the final 4-6 months we supplement their diet with hay and grain to achieve the optimal marbling and flavor you expect.
Our cattle are always humanely treated with ample room to roam, socialize, lay down and rest, access to fresh feed, water and air.
Our cattle are always humanely treated with ample room to roam, socialize, lay down and rest, access to fresh feed, water and air.
What is the "hanging weight?" What does that mean?
Great question! Cattle typically have an average dressing percentage of 60% of their live weight. What does this mean?
The live animal will weight somewhere between 1,200-1,400lbs at the start of the slaughtering process. The hanging weight refers to the weight of the carcass once the hide, head, internal organs, and other parts have been removed. You can expect the hanging weight of a whole steer to be within the range of 500-650lbs.
Factors that affect the hanging weight are: age of the animal, fat content, weight and size of internal organs (can vary animal to animal), and other variables specific to the each individual animal. This is why we offer a range in the weight on your share of beef.
The live animal will weight somewhere between 1,200-1,400lbs at the start of the slaughtering process. The hanging weight refers to the weight of the carcass once the hide, head, internal organs, and other parts have been removed. You can expect the hanging weight of a whole steer to be within the range of 500-650lbs.
Factors that affect the hanging weight are: age of the animal, fat content, weight and size of internal organs (can vary animal to animal), and other variables specific to the each individual animal. This is why we offer a range in the weight on your share of beef.
Ordering
When do I get my beef?
Once you place your order you will receive an email in 3-5 business days with follow up information. We aim to feed our cattle out to 1,200lbs + and timing may be adjusted to meet this requirement. You will receive updates periodically to allow you time to prep your freezer and get ready to have the final payment.
How much beef should I expect to get?
How much freezer space will I need?
Do you do 1/4 orders?
At this time we only sell 1/2 orders and whole orders.
However, in the past, people will pair up and divvy up their half amongst themselves. 1/4s are possible if everyone can be in agreement regarding the cuts and portions. *We do not assist with these arrangements.
If you find a butcher shop that will produce 1/4 shares we would be happy to see if we can deliver there as well.
However, in the past, people will pair up and divvy up their half amongst themselves. 1/4s are possible if everyone can be in agreement regarding the cuts and portions. *We do not assist with these arrangements.
If you find a butcher shop that will produce 1/4 shares we would be happy to see if we can deliver there as well.
What are the deposits for half and whole orders?
When is the remaining balance due on the cost of my steer?
The remaining balance due on a whole steer is $2,250.
The remains balance due on a half steer is $1,250.
An email will be sent out 2-3 weeks prior to the scheduled slaughtering date to allow ample time for the balance to be paid off.
The remains balance due on a half steer is $1,250.
An email will be sent out 2-3 weeks prior to the scheduled slaughtering date to allow ample time for the balance to be paid off.
How does butchering work?
While we would love to be able to do everything "in house" we aren't quite there yet! We outsource all of our beef to local butcher shops. If you do not have a preference we will automatically send your beef to Freedom Meat Lockers locaed Freedom, CA
Freedom Meats Lockers is a family owned butcher shop located in Freedom, CA. They will process your animal the way you'd like it. At this time, they only do whole or half cow, they do not split into thirds or quarters.
Freedom Meats will charge $2.10/pound (price subject to change) on the hanging weight. This price includes processing your steer according to your needs; i.e dry aging, wrapping, freeze flashing, and boxing it.
There are some decisions to make regarding how you would like the prime cuts "broken down" depending on which specifics cuts you are looking for or how much you would like as ground beef. Additional cuts such as, but not limited to: corned beef, roast beef, hot dogs, jerky, etc can be made for an additional fee.
When your steer is processed and ready to pick up, you can collect it directly from Freedom Meats. Depending on your location, special arrangements can be made for pickup directly from our ranch or delivery to you.
Freedom Meats will charge $2.10/pound (price subject to change) on the hanging weight. This price includes processing your steer according to your needs; i.e dry aging, wrapping, freeze flashing, and boxing it.
There are some decisions to make regarding how you would like the prime cuts "broken down" depending on which specifics cuts you are looking for or how much you would like as ground beef. Additional cuts such as, but not limited to: corned beef, roast beef, hot dogs, jerky, etc can be made for an additional fee.
When your steer is processed and ready to pick up, you can collect it directly from Freedom Meats. Depending on your location, special arrangements can be made for pickup directly from our ranch or delivery to you.