We believe in rotational grazing for happy animals, healthy soil and high quality meat. Rotational grazing means that the animals are frequently moved to fresh space so that the preceding ground may recover. This method, however, doesn’t sacrifice taste or tenderness. Our animals are extremely happy, healthy and flavorful!
Our 100% grass fed and finished beef are cut, wrapped and frozen in individual vacuum-sealed packs in late fall or early winter.
By becoming a shareholder at Little Ridge Farm, you have the opportunity to build a relationship between your food, the land it was grown on and the people who grew it. This marketing method is called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Community Supported Agriculture translated means “food with a farmer’s face on it”. The concept began in Japan in the 1960’s and has since spread through Europe and the United States.
The cows are rotated through a pasture that we lease from a neighbor. Rotational grazing promotes soil growth, pasture health and cow health. The cows are moved every few days to fresh grass enabling them to choose the healthiest grass rather than overgraze the entire pasture. They have 24 hour access to water and shade.
All of the animals are born on a family farm in Wales, Maine. Because I have limited pasture and winter shelter, some of the beef is finished there in the same fashion we do here.
*Received from Dr. Tilak Dhiman of Utah State University
The cows are butchered at a local USDA inspected facility. The cuts are vacuum-sealed in individual packages and flash frozen. So the meat you receive is the freshest possible. You will have the opportunity to choose the way your side of beef is cut so you may receive cuts you will enjoy. (1/4 shares will be as close as possible to your cut selections.)
The meat is sold as price per # according to the hanging weight. This weight is how much the carcass weighs while it is aging in the processor’s cooler. Generally about 65% of the hanging weight is actual meat. For example, if you order a quarter of a cow and the hanging weight is 125# your balance due is $687.50 (approximately–this price is subject to change $5.50 x 125#). You will receive about 81# of actual meat bringing your actual cost to $8.48/#.
A quarter cow package may include: (About 4 cubic feet of freezer space.)
Roasts 3-3# roasts
Hamburg 45-1# packages
Stew Meat 3-1# packages
Steaks 14-2# packages
Soup/Dog Bones, suet, organ meats 8#