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.

How Does Reban Farms Take Care of Its Cattle?

At Reban Farms, we've been proudly rooted in Saskatchewan for 114 years, and our connection to the land runs deep. Nestled near Petrofka Bridge along the North Saskatchewan River, just south of Blaine Lake, our farm has been a cornerstone of sustainable cattle farming since 1908. Today, we’re sharing how we care for our cattle while ensuring that our farming practices remain sustainable for generations.

A Legacy of Sustainability

“Sustainability” has become a popular buzzword, and rightly so. Consumers today are more conscious about how their food is produced and its environmental impact. At Reban Farms, sustainability isn’t just a trend – it’s been at the core of what we do for over a century. Our farm has thrived for 114 years, proving that long-term sustainability is achievable when you constantly evolve your practices to benefit the land, animals, and the community.

Over the years, we’ve learned to be more efficient with our resources. "We produce way more pounds of beef compared to 40, 30, or even 20 years ago, on far less food, water, and land base. We’re just that much more efficient." This efficiency level allows us to respect the environment while producing high-quality beef.

Animal Welfare is Our Priority, says Aubrey Reban " It's one of the most important aspects of our farm is ensuring the well-being of our cattle. We take pride in providing them with plenty of space, clean bedding, and fresh water. They’re always clean and dry, with access to as much food as they need. This level of care ensures that our cattle are healthy, content, and productive."

Rotational Grazing: A Key to Land Health

Our cattle aren’t just wandering aimlessly across fields. At Reban Farms, we practice rotational grazing, moving our herds through different paddocks and pastures. This method gives plant species the time to recover and regrow before they’re grazed again. Healthier plants mean healthier cattle and more productive land.

"If we continually graze pastures, the undesirable species—the ones that are less palatable or less nutritious—start to overtake the ones that get continually grazed. Before you know it, you’ve got unproductive pastures." By allowing plant diversity to flourish, we maintain the balance of our ecosystem, ensuring long-term productivity and sustainability.

Soil Health: The Foundation of Sustainable Farming

We also pay close attention to what’s happening below the soil. The health of the land directly impacts the plants and, ultimately, the cattle that graze on it. We assess our pastures based on drought tolerance, flood tolerance, and species diversity. This helps us make informed decisions about how best to manage our land.

“You can easily tell the health of your soil by looking at the plant diversity on your land base and the resiliency of the plants that you grow there. Healthy soil means more nutritious forage for our cattle, which translates into higher-quality beef for you."

Cattle: Nature's Upcyclers

Cattle have an incredible ability to “upcycle.” They turn plants and plant matter humans can’t eat into high-quality protein. Portions of our land that aren’t suitable for crops—whether they’re too sandy, rocky, or have challenging terrain—can still be used for grazing. Our cattle transform this otherwise unusable land into a rich, protein-packed food source for people worldwide. "They turn something undesirable into a highly desirable, protein-rich food source."

Wholesome Beef, From Our Farm to Your Table

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! !

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Saskatoon Farmer Reban Farms: How Much Beef Are You Ordering?

How Much Beef Are You Actually Ordering From Reban Farms?

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