KD Cattle Co. & Grassfed Meat FAQs

A quarter of beef will average between 125 – 140lbs hanging weight (Hwt).  To get an idea of the cuts you can receive, view our Basic Standard Cuts file.  Hanging weight is the carcass weight before dry aging.  Your take-home package weight is approximately 25% lower due to moisture loss during dry aging, bone cut-out, and amount of fat.

A whole lamb will average between 50 – 70lbs hanging weight.  A whole pork will average between 140 – 150lbs hanging weight.  To get an idea of the cuts you can receive, view our Basic Standard Cuts file

Yes!  For members who want to customize their cuts, below are the options that are available.  Click the file link to view cut details.  These customized cuts can only be made on 1/2 orders (not quarters) on the beef and whole orders on the pig and lamb.

• More Ground Beef List  (click to view file)
  With this option, you get more ground beef than the standard order.  If you desire this option, select “1/2 Beef – More Ground Beef” in the Foodclub system.  This is a pre-determined cut list that cannot be customized.  File simply shows which cuts are ground and which aren’t.

• Beef Special Cuts List  (click to view file)
  With this option, you have more flexibility to customize your cuts.  If you desire this option, select “1/2 Beef – Special Cuts” in the Foodclub system.  Once added to your cart, you will then need to provide the cuts you want by typing the cuts in the Comment box of your order.  Be sure you indicate the cuts you want according to each line item listed in the file.  If splitting with other members, cuts will be ordered based on the consensus of what each person has listed.

• Ground Beef Only

  For those wanting only ground beef or want to add more ground beef to their main order, this is the perfect option.  If you desire this option, select “1/2 Beef – Ground Beef Only” in the Foodclub system.  If interested in splitting, check for any Splits requests for this option in the system or request a Split.

• Pork Special Cuts List (click to view file)

  Customize your cuts for your pork order.   If you desire this option, select “Whole Pig, Special Cuts” in the Foodclub system.  Once added to your cart, you will then need to provide the cuts you want by typing the cuts in the Comment box of your order.  Be sure you indicate the cuts you want according to each line item listed in the file.  If splitting with other members, cuts will be ordered based on the consensus of what each person has listed. 

• Lamb Special Cuts List (click to view file)
  Customize your cuts for your lamb order.   If you desire this option, select “Whole Lamb, Special Cuts” in the Foodclub system.  Once added to your cart, you will then need to provide the cuts you want by typing the cuts in the Comment box of your order.  Be sure you indicate the cuts you want according to each line item listed in the file.  If splitting with other members, cuts will be ordered based on the consensus of what each person has listed.

Basically, hanging weight is the weight of the animal after processing (carcass) and before dry aging.  Take-home weight is the weight you bring home and is typically 25% lower than hanging weight due to moisture loss during dry aging, bone cut-out, and amount of fat. 

Here is a  more detailed definition:

“Hanging weight” is the term used to describe the weight of a side of beef as it hangs up in a meat cooler with the useable cuts intact. Whole, halves and quarters are sold to consumers based on hanging weight. This hanging weight varies as some sides of beef are fatter or leaner than other sides of beef.  Excess fat and bone are removed during cutting, therefore, carcass fatness will affect how much take-home meat a side of beef will yield. Keep in mind that 100% grass feeding creates a leaner carcass than what a grain fed feedlot carcass will be.

On average, a quarter beef will cost anywhere between $580 – $665.  Keep in mind, weight will vary with the size of the animal and the cost can be slightly higher or lower than average.  Price includes processing and delivery costs.

Whole lamb costs $300.00.  A whole pig costs $450 (with bacon) or $430 (without bacon).  Price includes processing and delivery costs.

The cattle, from the time they are yearling, are 100% grassfed on open range, foraging for themselves, occasionally supplemented with good alfalfa.  No grain, hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics are ever given.  They are humanely raised.

The lambs are 100% grassfed on open range – occasionally supplemented with good alfalfa.  No grain, hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics are ever given.  They are humanely raised.

Their pigs are raised naturally and humanely – never given any saline, hormones, or antibiotics, and not kept in small, crammed pens.  However, they are fed with feed that contain GMO grain.  Unfortunately, especially in Arizona, it is rare to find ranchers raising pigs on a commercial level who are not fed with GMO-feed.  The pigs do live on pasture and are not kept in small, crammed pens.

Orders will come boxed from KDC.  Meat will be cut, frozen, wrapped in butcher paper, and labeled.

KDC is not certified organic.  However, they do follow organic practices.  They simply do not want to pay extra for organic certification.  The only exception is that the pigs are fed with GMO feed.    Unfortunately, especially in Arizona, it is rare to find commercially raised pigs not fed with GMO-feed. 

Meat, eggs, and dairy products from pastured animals are ideal for your health. Compared with commercial products, they offer you more “good” fats, and fewer “bad” fats. They are richer in antioxidants; including vitamins E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Furthermore, they do not contain traces of added hormones, antibiotics or other drugs. – [read more]

Furthermore, there is a difference in pH levels between grassfed and grain-fed cows.  Cows do not naturally eat grain – in fact, it makes them ill.  When cows are fed grain, their normal pH level of 7 or 7.1 drops to a highly acidic pH level of about 4 or 3.8.

Additional Links:

• www.pastureprimewagyu.com/health-benefits
• www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm
• www.eatwild.com/animals.htm – scroll down to “Switching cattle from grass to grain can be lethal” article

The flavor, look, and texture of grassfed beef is different from what you would get with grain-fed beef, which is more bland.  Grassfed beef has a more full, richer taste to it.  However, flavor will vary from region to region and between farm to farm, based on the type of grass the animals feed on.  We have found KDC’s beef to be very delicious!