Home-Raised Beef and Lamb
We know first-hand our beef and lamb is the best you'll ever eat, because we eat it ourselves and have been for years.
NOT ALL MEAT IS THE SAME
Our family has been farming here in the mountains of southern West Virginia for 4 generations. We have been raising beef cattle on this land for over 75 years. Our cooler summers allow for excellent grass production and our calves to grow much better than in other areas.
Our calves are born in March while cows eat first cutting hay. They move out to pasture in April where they graze until calves are weaned in September. All our cattle follow a strict deworming and vaccination program. We offer farm-raised antibiotic and hormone free beef you can feel safe eating. We take pride in farming and would be more than happy to have you come for a visit.
BEEF PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
You can purchase either a whole or half beef. This is the animal weight after the organs, etc. have been removed. This is approximately 60% of the live weight. We will take your animal to a slaughter house to be processed. We insist on having the beef aged at least 14 days to allow for muscle tissue to become more tender. The meat will be cut to your exact specifications. You will write 2 checks: the first to Okes Family Farms for the animal, the second to the butcher for processing your meat.
Young Beef:
This would be the beef from our calves. They are raised on the mother cows to market weight. We then feed the animals grain for 3 months. Animals weigh around 700 pounds live weight. The beef is excellent - lean muscled and tender. This is the better option for those with smaller freezer space.
Pricing: We sell our calves (700 pounds or so) for $1.40 per pound. You pay the slaughter fee which will be ~$185
Your price will be:
$1.40 per pound x 700# = $980price for calf
$185 Slaughter fee
$1165 Total
You get roughly 38% of the live weight back in meat for your freezer. Considering this, you will get ~266# of meat for your freezer. That comes to a mere $438 per pound for the beef you put in your freezer.
Can't handle a whole beef, we'll sell you half or better yet talk to some friends and split one amongst about 5 people. That would only cost each person $233 and still give you ~53# of meat for for your freezers.
For an extra fee our meat processor can vacuum seal your beef to make a better keeping product. It costs ~ 40 more dollars on the processing fee.
Beef cattle were the foundation of this farm and continue to be a large part of the day to day operation. We are expanding our sheep flock and can sell you fresh lamb or beef for a better price than a grocery store and the meet is "fit to eat."
LAMB PRICING
We sell lamb for $2.00 per pound live weight. This is the avg market price during the year.
Your lamb will weigh at least 100#. Slaughter Fee is ~$50.
This makes your total $250
You'll roughly get ~35 pounds of meat for your freezer. That equates to $7.15 per pound for lamb.
Yes it is still expensive but you'll love our lamb. If you check store prices, you'll see we're still competitive.
