Questions to ask before you buy Beef...

Picking up a steak or roast at the market it pretty simple.  Buying larger quantities of healthy, delicious beef from a local beef producer can be a little more complicated but armed with a little knowledge of the industry and the right questions to ask, you can be assured that the producer you select is the right one...

Here is a list of questions we answer every day for our customers and prospective customers.  They may help you as you make your selection of a local beef producer.  We strongly recommend that you ask these questions and record answers for comparison before you purchase.




What cuts of beef can I expect to receive?
At Five Oaks Family Farm, our standard cut plan will yield a great selection of steaks, roasts, stew meat, soup bones and  premium ground beef.  The quantities of each will vary somewhat based upon the finishing size of the steer / heifer and the body composition (fat / lean) which varies from animal to animal.  Below is an idea of what you can expect when you buy a Split Side (Quarter).  Halves and Wholes will contain about the same mix... just more of it.  Multiply the Split Side quantities by 2 for a Half and by 4 for a whole:

4 Filet Mignon,
6 Ribeye Steaks
6 New York Strip Steaks
1 Flat Iron Steaks
3 Sirloin Steaks
1 Flank Steak
4 Chuck Eye Steaks
1 Skirt Steak
1 Hanger Steak
1 Eye of Round Roast
1 Sirloin Tip Roast
2 Boneless Chuck Roasts
2 Top Round Roasts (London Broil)
1 Bottom Round Roasts
1 Rump Roast
1 package of Brisket
4 packages of Short Ribs
4 packages of Beef Shank
2 packages of Beef Liver
40 packages (1 lb) of premium Ground Beef



Is your beef 100% USDA Inspected?
Yes it is.  We only use USDA inspected facilities to harvest and process our beef so you can be assured of the highest quality beef for your family.




What is your price and what weight is it based upon?
When you are quoted a price per pound, make sure you know what weight the price is based upon.  Packaged weight is the most straight-forward.  You pay based upon the weight of beef you receive.  See Buy Now for current Beef Package Pricing and  How to Buy Beef for an explanation of the different pricing schemes you may encounter from other beef producers.



Do I have to pay Processing fees?
Not at Five Oaks Family Farm.  We pay all harvesting and processing costs and rightfully so.  It is our cost of doing business.  Harvesting and Processing at a USDA Inspected facility can be quite expensive, nearing $800 for a whole animal these days.  At Five Oaks Family Farm, you pay only the advertised price per pound, nothing more!  See Buy Now for pricing.



How many acres does your farm encompass and what is the size of your herd?
We raise our cattle on over 50 acres and we maintain a small herd of brood cows.  Our policy is to ensure that each brood cow has at least 1 1/2 acres to herself.



Do you use feed based antibiotics on your herd?
Feed based antibiotics (usually CTC's - Chlorotetracycline) have long been added to food rations and mineral supplements for cattle.  There is growing concern from the FDA that these long term, low dose additives contribute to antibiotic resistance in the animal as well as humans who consume the beef.  We, at Five Oaks Family Farm, have never, nor will be ever use feed based antibiotics on our herd.



Do you use artificial growth hormones and/or steroids?
Raising good beef takes time.  Some producers try to accelerate the process by using artificial growth enhancing implants on their calves.  We, at Five Oaks Family Farm believe that growth in calves, just as in people, should occur naturally and we have never, nor will we ever use these products.  Our steers are nearly 2 years old and have naturally reached about 1200 pounds when ready for harvesting.



Do you raise your own beef?
At Five Oaks Family Farm we raise almost all our own beef.  Sometimes to meet demand we will purchase an additional steer from a neighboring farm with which we are familiar and whose operation meets our very high standards.  Even in this case, finishing for tenderness and taste happens here on our farm where we can manage it.



Do you price based upon Live Weight, Hanging Weight or Packaged Weight?
We at Five Oaks Family Farm price only on what we deliver, that is Packaged Weight.  What you pay for is what you receive.  See How To Buy Beef for a discussion of the different weights and how they affect what you will ultimately pay for  your beef.



How old are your steers/heifers and what is their weight when processed?
Opinions vary but we at Five Oaks Family Farm believe the optimum weight for harvesting is about 1200 pounds.  Too much lighter and the meat is more tender but has less flavor.  Too much heavier and the meat is flavorful but can lose tenderness.



Are your steers/heifers grass fed and grass finished or grass fed and grain finished?
We believe that the ideal way to raise beef is by grass feeding for health and nutrition and grain finishing ( the last few months before harvesting) with corn.  Grass fed and grass finished beef has a different flavor that is not necessarily appealing to all people.  The right mix of grass fed and grain finished makes Five Oaks Family Farm beef healthy and delicious!



Are your steers/heifers vaccinated and inspected regularly?
Yes, they are at Five Oaks Family Farm.  We vaccinate for all bovine diseases common to our area and we inspect our cattle daily for any signs of injury or illness.



Are your steers/heifers fed any animal bi-products?
No, never.  It is thought that feeding cows animal bi-products might be a contributing factor to 'mad cow' disease.  We can say with pride that all of  our cows are strict vegetarians :-)