As your go-to Saskatchewan provider for high-quality, pasture-raised beef (and pork now, too), Reban Farms is committed to delivering exceptional local meat products. Learn more about how the family cares for its cattle and meet the passionate team behind this remarkable family farm outside of Saskatoon in Petrofka, on the banks of the Saskatchewan River! Their latest tip explains how much beef you're actually getting when you order when measurements like "a quarter cow" can be a little ambiguous.

How Much Beef Are You Actually Ordering From Reban Farms?

Are you looking to get some quality beef this season? Here at Reban Farms, we’re excited to provide you with high-quality, local, grass-fed and grain-finished beef, and we’re committed to ensuring that your experience is smooth, easy, and enjoyable. Below, we’ve answered some common questions to help guide you through the ordering process.

FAQ: How Much Freezer Beef Will I Get From a Carcass?

When you purchase beef from Reban Farms, you’re buying it based on the Hot Carcass Weight (HCW), which is the weight of the beef after it’s been slaughtered but before it’s cut into retail cuts. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:

Average live weight of a beef animal: 1,200 pounds (give or take 250 lbs)
Hot Carcass Weight (HCW): Around 750 pounds (give or take 200 lbs)

The HCW is typically about 63% of the animal's live weight, though it can be influenced by factors such as the animal’s diet, transportation, and overall muscling.

It’s important to note that the HCW doesn’t include parts like the tongue, liver, or oxtail, as these are removed during processing. A beef carcass is then split into halves, with each half representing about 50% of the HCW. Each half is further divided into quarters, with the forequarter accounting for about 55% of the side weight and the hindquarter making up the remaining 45%.

After slaughter, the carcass will undergo some shrinkage during aging:

First 48 hours: Expect 1-2% weight loss due to moisture loss.
14-day dry-aging process: Another 4-6% shrinkage, primarily due to moisture evaporation.

When the meat is broken down into cuts and ground beef, there may be additional weight loss from trimming and further moisture loss. Custom cutting preferences, like whether you want boneless or bone-in cuts, or specific lean-to-fat ratios for ground beef, can also affect the total weight and price.

In general, here’s what to expect:

25% of the carcass will be bone and trim
25% will be steaks
25% will be roasts
25% will be ground beef

The retail yield (what you take home) is typically about 40% of the animal's live weight or around 75% of the Hot Carcass Weight.

Product Details: What’s Included in Your Order?

Depending on your order, you can expect the following:

🐮 Whole Cow

Approximately 640 lbs of meat (HCW)
Requires about 20 cubic feet of freezer space

🐮 Half Cow

Approximately 320 lbs of meat (HCW)
Requires about 10 cubic feet of freezer space

🐮 Quarter Cow

Approximately 160 lbs of meat (HCW)
Requires about 5 cubic feet of freezer space

Important Order Details

Order Timing: We typically place three orders per year: one in January, one in the spring, and one in late fall.
Weight Variability: All weights are approximate as no two animals are exactly the same.
Cutting Options: Your order will come as 1/3 roasts, 1/3 steaks (standard 1-inch cuts), and 1/3 ground beef. You can customize your cuts at no extra charge, including steak thickness or the mix of cuts, when the butcher calls you to confirm your preferences.
Packaging: All orders come boxed, frozen, and ready to place in your freezer.
Deposit: A $100 deposit is required to join the order waiting list and guarantee your beef (payable by cheque or e-transfer).
Free Delivery: We offer free delivery to Saskatoon and surrounding northern towns, including Martensville, Warman, Dalmeny, Osler, Laird, Langham, Rosthern, Blaine Lake, Marcelin, Leask, Shellbrook, and Parkside.

Wholesome Beef, From Our Farm to Your Table

We’re blessed here in Saskatchewan with access to land, clean water, and clear air. We produce more resources than we consume, particularly food. At Reban Farms, we’re proud to offer you wholesome, local beef that’s not only packed with nutrition but also produced using sustainable farming practices. Plus, we offer the convenience of free delivery, saving you both time and money.

Want to learn more about us? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on everything happening at the farm, or simply visit our website to order your beef OR pork today! !

Reban Farms Trusted Saskatoon Farmers – Wholesome, Local Beef. Order Yours Today.

Please read the full article on their site, here.

As your go-to Saskatchewan provider for high-quality, pasture-raised beef (and pork now, too), Reban Farms is committed to delivering exceptional local meat products. Learn more about how the family cares for its cattle and meet the passionate team behind this remarkable family farm outside of Saskatoon in Petrofka, on the banks of the Saskatchewan River! Their latest tip explains the difference between grass-finished beef and grain-finished beef, and why you should care.

Grass-Finished vs. Grain-Finished Beef: Which is Better?

A common debate in the world of beef is whether grass-finished or grain-finished beef is the better choice. But before we dive into the comparison, let's first clarify the differences between the two.

What is Grass-Finished Beef?

Grass-finished beef comes from cattle that have grazed on pasture their entire lives, eating only grasses and forages. These animals are never fed grain at any point during their lifecycle.

What is Grain-Finished Beef?

Grain-finished beef, on the other hand, starts with cattle grazing on grass, but in the final months before slaughter, the animals are fed a balanced diet of local feed, which includes both forages and grain. This helps increase the marbling and fat content in the meat.

At Reban Farms, we raise beef that is both grass and grain-finished. Here's why we believe this method produces the best quality beef:

1. Superior Meat Quality

At Reban Farms, all of our cattle start on pasture, eating grass and forages. However, in the last 100-120 days of their lives, we feed them higher-energy, locally sourced grains (no corn) to enhance marbling and fat content. This process is completely natural—no hormones, growth promoters, or additives—and has been practiced for centuries for a reason: it results in a more flavourful, tender, and well-marbled product. Grain-finishing helps the cattle grow more quickly and achieve a higher weight, which contributes to the overall quality of the beef.

2. Better Aging and Tenderness

Grain-finishing beef allows for better aging. The fat in the meat helps preserve the carcass during the aging process, preventing it from drying out. This longer hang time in the cooler leads to more tender cuts of meat, making for a better eating experience.

3. Easier to Prepare

Grain-finished beef is easier to cook due to the right amount of fat and marbling. This natural fat content means you don’t have to add extra oil or worry about the meat drying out or burning. Whether you’re grilling a steak or cooking a burger, the marbling in grain-finished beef ensures that your meal stays moist, flavourful, and easy to prepare.

4. Enhanced Flavour

Many of our customers love the rich flavour that comes from grain-finished beef. The marbling throughout the meat adds depth and juiciness to steaks, and makes hamburgers that don’t need extra fat or oils to cook. While some people claim that grass-finished beef is healthier, the difference is minimal. In fact, if you balanced out your meal with a healthy side like a carrot stick, you'd more than make up for any nutritional differences. That said, grass-finished beef often has a gamier, more "wild" taste, and can be trickier to prepare to achieve the same level of flavour as grain-finished beef.

Why We Choose Grass and Grain-Finished Beef

At Reban Farms, we raise our cattle with a focus on quality, sustainability, and flavour. Our approach combines the best of both worlds: the health benefits of grass-fed beef and the superior taste and tenderness of grain-finished beef. We believe this method delivers a product that is not only high in nutritional value, but also better tasting, more convenient to cook, and raised using sustainable farming practices. Plus, we offer the convenience of free delivery to bring it right to your table.