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 1/4 order will come as 1/3 roasts, 1/3 steaks (standard 1-inch cuts), and 1/3 ground beef. IF you order 1/2 or more, 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: To join the order waiting list and guarantee your beef, you must make a $100 deposit (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 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.

The Trusted Saskatoon Team is delighted to introduce Reban Farms, our newest Saskatoon Specialty Retail Category partner.

As your go-to Saskatchewan provider for high-quality, pasture-raised beef (and pork, too), Reban Farms is committed to delivering exceptional local meat products. Learn more about their offerings and meet the passionate team behind this remarkable business in our latest Trusted Saskatoon article, celebrating our newest addition to the network of locally owned businesses dedicated to integrity.

Meet the Reban Family

Aubrey and Elise Reban, along with their four children, represent the 4th and 5th generations of the Reban family to live on their land near the Petrofka Bridge, just north of Saskatoon. As you approach Reban Farms, you'll be greeted by picturesque barns and cattle pastures alongside a beautiful two-story home overlooking a serene valley. The sound of the wind occasionally punctuates the peaceful environment through the grass and cattle calls.

Generations of Farming Passion

Aubrey and Elise Reban take immense pride in their farm’s land and heritage. The Reban family has owned their farm since 1908, and they cherish the ability to produce beef entirely from their labour. They began with a small herd and grain farming, eventually expanding to sell finished beef to family and friends. The positive feedback from customers searching for farm-direct meat has made their hard work even more rewarding. As the word spread about the quality, so did their business.

Aubrey's four children now lead the pork side of the operation despite their young ages. This generational passion ensures that every part of the process, from feeding, cleaning pens, and animal health care to the delivery of finished pork, is handled with care and precision, guaranteeing top-quality products for their customers.

Why Choose Farm-Direct Beef & Pork from Reban Farms?

Quality: Reban Farms' mixed farming approach allows Aubrey to control every aspect of the feed production process. Few beef providers can tell you what goes into every pound of feed the animals consume - Reban Farms can! From seed planting to the beef delivered to your door, every step is managed meticulously, ensuring exceptional quality that few farms can match.

Taste and Nutrition: Reban beef and pork offer superior taste and nutrition compared to traditional grocery store options. Their beef is rich in protein, Vitamin B12, Zinc, Selenium, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Phosphorus, Riboflavin, Iron, and Choline. Aubrey has perfected feed rations to achieve the ideal balance of leanness and marbling, with animals butchered at their prime and dry-aged for 14 days or longer.

Cost Savings: Buying farm-direct in bulk eliminates middlemen, providing nutritious, delicious, high-quality meat at a lower cost than in-store purchases. The minimum quantity that can be ordered is 1/4 beef, which is approximately 180 lbs* of meat and fits into 5 cubic feet of freezer space. Aubrey also offers free delivery to Saskatoon and the surrounding area.

How Trusted Saskatoon Selects & Verifies Potential Partners

To become a Trusted Saskatoon partner, businesses must demonstrate quality-driven excellence in the Saskatoon market. Our selection process includes:

Nominations from satisfied customers, clients, and suppliers
Surveys of past customers to gauge satisfaction ( it is a pass or a fail)
Verification of the business's online reputation and references
Ensuring all necessary licenses, qualifications, WCB, and insurances are valid and up-to-date

Reban Farms was already well known to the Trusted team; Trusted owner and founder Sara has been buying beef from Aubrey for years! Here is what she had to say about her experience.

“ I order ¼ s of Reban Farms beef every year, and I really appreciate Aubrey delivering it to my doorstep in Saskatoon. All of the cuts are great, and the price and quality is so much better than general store-bought beef! - WOW, the flavour is amazing!! Hands down, it’s the best beef I’ve eaten!!
My freezer is always full of wholesome beef, and I feel good about how the animals are treated and raised. It’s a win-win! “ Sara Wheelwright, Saskatoon

What Customers Say About Reban Farms

In conversations with Reban Farms' other customers, a clear message emerged: the quality of the meat and the integrity of the family keep them coming back. Customers describe Aubrey, Elise, and their children as "just great people - REAL people!" There is a strong sense of trust and confidence that any issues will be promptly and satisfactorily addressed, reflecting the Rebans' commitment to their customers.

" We LOVE the beef from Reban Farms. We run a company so we sometimes give meat to our employees as a bonus because it is an amazing gift. We also have a large family with 7 children, so we order a lot, and every time, the quality and taste are there. We have bought meat from different farmers over the years, and Reban beef is by far our favourite. The quality is incredible, and it cooks up really well. I love supporting local and knowing where my meat is coming from. The family is honest and friendly, and having it delivered to the door is so convenient and appreciated” - Holly Fehr

“We run the Butcher Shop that cuts and wraps the meat and have worked with Aubrey Reban for many years. He is a great person and does his best to make his customers happy. We have been in the meat business for decades, and the quality of Reban beef is excellent! Aubrey is a pleasure to do business with” Rose - J & R Meats, Shellbrook.

There are more stellar reviews of Reban Farms and some pictures of their beef on their Google listing here.

Join us in welcoming Reban Farms to the Trusted Saskatoon family and enjoy the finest quality, pasture-raised meat delivered right to your door. Discover more about Reban Farms and experience the difference of farm-direct beef and pork by ordering online today here: https://rebanfarms.ca/contact/#order

Read more happy customer reviews and see all Reban Farms offers by visiting their listing on Trusted Saskatoon.

Reban Farms is Your Trusted Saskatoon Beef & Pork Farm